slough of despond
noun phrase
slough of de·spond ˌslau̇-əv-di-ˈspänd 
ˌslü-
: a state of extreme depression
Word History
Etymology
from the Slough of Despond, deep bog into which Christian falls on the way from the City of Destruction and from which Help saves him in the allegory Pilgrim's Progress (1678) by John Bunyan
First Known Use
1776, in the meaning defined above
slough of despond
phrase
as in desperation
utter loss of hope She had the support of her friends and family through her slough of despond. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- desperation
- despair
- depression
- sadness
- hopelessness
- despondence
- despondency
- resignation
- agony
- pain
- melancholy
- misery
- despond
- sorrow
- acceptance
- forlornness
- oppression
- unhappiness
- sorrowfulness
- blue devils
- dispiritedness
- disconsolateness
- blues
- woefulness
- distress
- doldrums
- mournfulness
- dolefulness
- dejection
- desolation
- gloominess
- joylessness
- dolor
- woe
- cynicism
- pessimism
- dumps
- dreariness
- self-despair
- gloom
- wretchedness
- self-pity
- downheartedness
- mopes
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- hope
- cheer
- hopefulness
- cheerfulness
- optimism
- sunniness
- happiness
- mirth
- glee
- gaiety
- joviality
- gayety
- joy
- merriment
- ecstasy
- exuberance
- bliss
- jollity
- exultation
- euphoria
- rapture
- lightheartedness
- exhilaration
- elation
- jubilation
- joyousness
- elatedness
- gleefulness
- rapturousness
- gladness
- mirthfulness
- joyfulness
- blissfulness