Which term is synonymous with dismal and often conveys a sense of despair?

The term "depressing" is synonymous with "dismal" and effectively conveys a sense of despair. When something is described as dismal, it typically reflects a bleak, gloomy, or hopeless situation. "Depressing" captures this sentiment by indicating a state that causes feelings of sadness or melancholy, aligning closely with the connotations of despair associated with dismal conditions.

In contrast, options such as "cheerful," "joyful," and "sunny" represent positive and uplifting emotions, which stand in stark contrast to the sense of hopelessness that "dismal" and "depressing" entail. Each of those terms conveys brightness and happiness, making them unsuitable as synonyms for an expression that inherently suggests darkness or despair.