crestfallen
Sad after failure
Crestfallen means dejected or dispirited, especially after a disappointment or humiliation.
The word evokes a physical posture of defeat—head bowed, shoulders slumped: He looked crestfallen when he didn't make the team.
It suggests a sudden drop in spirits rather than chronic sadness.
Deeply discouraged, hopeless
- downcastSad or despondent
- dispiritedHaving lost heart
- downheartedLow in spirits
- disheartenedLost confidence or hope
low-spirited · glum · morose · forlorn · woebegone · blue · gloomy · melancholic
Responsible for wrongdoing
- remorsefulFeeling guilt for wrongdoing
- repentantFeeling sorrow for misdeeds
- contriteFeeling guilt over misdeeds
- penitentOne showing remorse
ashamed · regretful · rueful · guilt-ridden · apologetic · chagrined · shamefaced · conscience-stricken
Failure to satisfy expectations
- disillusionedFreed from false beliefs
- dismayedDistressed by shock
- chagrinedDistressed by disappointment
- disenchantedLost one's illusions
unfulfilled · thwarted · dissatisfied · frustrated · saddened · displeased · discontented · bitter
Longing for the past
- homesickLonging for one's dwelling
- wistfulSadly longing for something
- piningAching with prolonged desire
- yearningIntense prolonged craving
lovesick · languishing · aching · lonely · lonesome · forlorn · bereft · heartsick
Deprived by death
- grief-strickenOverwhelmed by profound loss
- brokenheartedOverwhelmed with grief
- heartbrokenOverwhelmed with grief
- mourningPeriod following loss
anguished · sorrowful · tearful · weepy · lachrymose · inconsolable · stricken · afflicted
despondent
Deeply discouraged, hopeless
- downcastSad or despondent
- dispiritedHaving lost heart
- downheartedLow in spirits
disheartened · low-spirited · glum · morose · forlorn · woebegone · blue · gloomy · melancholic · doleful
guilty
Responsible for wrongdoing
- remorsefulFeeling guilt for wrongdoing
- repentantFeeling sorrow for misdeeds
- contriteFeeling guilt over misdeeds
penitent · ashamed · regretful · rueful · guilt-ridden · apologetic · chagrined · shamefaced · conscience-stricken · hangdog
letdown
Failure to satisfy expectations
- disillusionedFreed from false beliefs
- dismayedDistressed by shock
- chagrinedDistressed by disappointment
disenchanted · unfulfilled · thwarted · dissatisfied · frustrated · saddened · displeased · discontented · bitter · regretful
nostalgic
Longing for the past
- homesickLonging for one's dwelling
- wistfulSadly longing for something
- piningAching with prolonged desire
yearning · lovesick · languishing · aching · lonely · lonesome · forlorn · bereft · heartsick
bereaved
Deprived by death
- grief-strickenOverwhelmed by profound loss
- brokenheartedOverwhelmed with grief
- heartbrokenOverwhelmed with grief
mourning · anguished · sorrowful · tearful · weepy · lachrymose · inconsolable · stricken · afflicted · lamenting
- humiliationashamed, abasement, embarrassed, chagrin, mortified
- Negative Feelingssad, upset, disappointed, crushed, dejected
- dejectiondejected, despondent, discouraged, disheartened, dispirited
- despairdespair, hopelessness, desolation, despondency, dejection
- letdownsletdown, disappointment, anticlimax, dud, flop
- sadnesssad, unhappy, grief, sorrowful, heartbroken
crestfallenelated
Intensely, buoyantly pleased
jubilant · overjoyed · triumphant · exultant · ecstatic
crestfallentriumphant
Joyfully victorious
victorious · exultant · proud · vindicated · gratified