adjective

dejected

/dɪˈdʒɛktɪd/ · say it: dih·JEK·tid

sad and low in spirits

In Emotions & Moods

In more detail

1. (adjective) sad, disappointed, and without hope

2. (adjective) showing signs of sadness or low spirits

Examples

1. After losing the game, the team looked dejected as they walked off the field.
2. He spoke in a dejected voice about his failed job interview.

How to use dejected

Dejected describes a state of sadness combined with disappointment and a loss of hope or confidence, often triggered by a specific setback or failure. It is slightly more literary and formal than simply saying 'sad,' and emphasizes both the emotional state and its visible signs (facial expression, posture, tone). It is commonly used to describe someone's visible demeanor rather than internal feeling alone.

Common phrases

look dejected
sound dejected
feel dejected
dejected expression
dejected mood

Synonyms

despondent · downhearted · dispirited · melancholy · crestfallen

Opposites

cheerful · elated · hopeful

Word family

deject (verb) · dejectedly (adverb) · dejectedness (noun)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse dejected with rejected; while rejection can cause someone to feel dejected, the words have different meanings—dejected is an emotional state, rejected means refused or excluded.

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