dejected
Say it: dih-JEK-tid /dɪˈdʒɛktɪd/ · adjective
What “dejected” means
Sad and discouraged after something goes wrong.
More precisely: Sad and discouraged, often after a disappointment.
Example: “The dejected players trudged off the pitch.”
When to use it
Use it when disappointment knocks someone's confidence and energy. It works in everyday descriptions and more formal writing.
Similar words
downcast, disheartened, crestfallen
Where it comes from
From Latin deicere, "to throw down."
Quick check
Your carefully made cake collapses just before the competition, and you sit down sadly, feeling discouraged. How do you feel?
vexed or dejected?
Show the answer
dejected
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