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Despondent vs Optimistic - What's the difference?

despondent | optimistic |

As adjectives the difference between despondent and optimistic

is that despondent is in low spirits from loss of hope or courage while optimistic is expecting the best in all possible ways.

despondent

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • In low spirits from loss of hope or courage.
  • *
  • *:Thanks to that penny he had just spent so recklessly [on a newspaper] he would pass a happy hour, taken, for once, out of his anxious, despondent , miserable self. It irritated him shrewdly to know that these moments of respite from carking care would not be shared with his poor wife, with careworn, troubled Ellen.

    • Synonyms

    * despairing * disconsolate * disheartened * dejected * downcast * gloomy * miserable * sad

    Antonyms

    * cheerful * hopeful

    optimistic

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Expecting the best in all possible ways.
    • in an optimistic mood
    optimistic plans
    took an optimistic view

    Antonyms

    * pessimistic