dejected

Dejected is an adjective used to describe a person or their mood when they feel sad, dispirited, or discouraged, often after a disappointment or setback. It can refer to an internal state of mind or an outward display of mood, such as a downcast expression or slumped posture.

Etymology traces dejected to Latin deicere, meaning “to throw down,” with the sense carried into English via Old French and early modern usage. The form emphasizes a sense of being cast down or brought low, either emotionally or in spirit.

Usage and nuance: Dejected commonly signals a temporary or situational sadness rather than a chronic gloom. It conveys a sense of being dispirited after a specific event, rather than a lasting condition. In writing, it often describes both internal feeling and observable demeanor, such as a person walking with lowered eyes or a lack of energy.

Examples: The team looked dejected after the final whistle. She walked away with a dejected gaze, shoulders slumped. His dejected mood suggested he would need time to recover from the setback.

Related terms: Dejection is the noun form describing the state of being dejected. Synonyms include dispirited, despondent, crestfallen, and downcast; antonyms include elated, buoyant, and cheerful. See also despondency and melancholy for related emotional states.