Definition of hopelessnext
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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective hopeless differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of hopeless are despairing, desperate, and despondent. While all these words mean "having lost all or nearly all hope," hopeless suggests despair and the cessation of effort or resistance and often implies acceptance or resignation.

the situation of the trapped miners is hopeless

When is despairing a more appropriate choice than hopeless?

The meanings of despairing and hopeless largely overlap; however, despairing suggests the slipping away of all hope and often despondency.

despairing appeals for the return of the kidnapped child

In what contexts can desperate take the place of hopeless?

While the synonyms desperate and hopeless are close in meaning, desperate implies despair that prompts reckless action or violence in the face of defeat or frustration.

one last desperate attempt to turn the tide of battle

When can despondent be used instead of hopeless?

While in some cases nearly identical to hopeless, despondent implies a deep dejection arising from a conviction of the uselessness of further effort.

despondent about yet another rejection

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hopeless The impossible Padres are possible, hopeless — and weightless. Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2026 At least Duncan’s daughter and fellow cadet, Teela (Eire Farrell), takes pity on the hopeless tyke. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 4 June 2026 Hence the constant reports that young people are anxious, lonely, stressed, hopeless. Judy Berman, Time, 27 May 2026 That reality makes the climb for promising teams like the Magic feel almost hopeless. Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for hopeless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopeless
Adjective
  • With no way to secure this crucial boundary, Microsoft and its peers are left to erect complicated and ad hoc guardrails designed to rein in the consequences of this incurable gullibility.
    Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 16 June 2026
  • The palace announced in October 2018 that Mette-Marit was diagnosed with chronic pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable lung condition in which scarring of the lung tissue complicates breathing.
    Clare Fisher, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026
Adjective
  • Traditionally cynical and perceptive commentators—not to mention a lot of tired citizens—found themselves, in some accounts, overcome by an unexpected wave of patriotic sentimentality that washed away, at least for a moment, their gnawing doubts.
    Christopher Hooks, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
  • Heston is at his most gleefully cynical as Robert Thorn, a police detective who lives and works in a New York City decimated by environmental deterioration and dwindling resources.
    Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 23 June 2026
Adjective
  • Few Western democracies are willing to embrace the kind of highly restrictive model that would make circumvention nearly impossible.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 19 June 2026
  • Airbus engineers added an extra fuel tank and extended the aircraft’s range by approximately 1,000 nautical miles, allowing the planes to fly routes that were once technically impossible.
    Jake McGowan, CNN Money, 19 June 2026
Adjective
  • For better or worse, there’s no arguing with the fact that the video is more engaging than simply imagining his desperate escape attempt, especially for people who aren’t naturally inclined to be interested in history and archaeology.
    Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 18 June 2026
  • Brokers often list speculative tickets for those tours before an on-sale even starts, hoping some more desperate fans will buy in a panic.
    Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2026
Adjective
  • His shot, low and hard and uncorked with minimal back-lift of his left foot, bounced through the gap between the despairing goalkeeper and his near post.
    Liam Twomey, New York Times, 17 June 2026
  • After 25 years, you'd be forgiven for thinking — despairing, really — that the formula for a perfect Scary Movie has been forgotten.
    Entertainment Weekly, Entertainment Weekly, 2 June 2026
Adjective
  • Este is sad — Este is depressed-y.
    Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
  • How sad or scary is ‘Toy Story 5’?
    Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 18 June 2026
Adjective
  • This is not a pessimistic observation.
    Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
  • During the first two weeks after the election, the campaign encouraged voters to check their ballot status online, but supporters grew increasingly pessimistic as the count progressed.
    Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2026
Adjective
  • Isdin Melatonik If traditional retinoids have left your sensitive skin unhappy, Isdin's Melatonik Recovery Night Serum offers a gentler approach with bakuchiol.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 23 June 2026
  • Brown and the Celtics have both since denied speculation that the 29-year-old second-team All-NBA selection was unhappy with his role in Boston.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 22 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Hopeless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopeless. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.

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