despondently.

In a deeply discouraged way, as though improvement or success no longer seems likely.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• say despondently
• sit despondently

On the page

“There won't be another chance,” he said despondently.

Usage notes

Primary category: literary / elevated general. Forms: Invariable adverb. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings. Established modern English lexical item. No separate regional spelling or grammatical inflection entry. Writing functions: character, description. Commonness: moderately common.