Converse of object

• increase: Throughout November, Rommel's private letters betrayed an increasing despondency.

• cause: Often minor ailment assume great importance in the mind of sufferer causing despondency and self-disgust.

• set: The team had assembled on the commodious front cabin of Frogmoore and despondency set in.

• say: Tony Juniper, director of Friends of the Earth, said that despondency was not the answer.

Adjective modifier

• utter: These are averages: they mask a wide range of responses, from cheering enthusiasm to utter despondency.

• general: Of more long-term concern must be the general despondency and malaise that is threatening to smother everything at the club.

• deep: It was a most trying day, and the sailors relapsed into a condition of deep despondency.