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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

Examples of hopeless in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Without a transcript of the trial, an appeal is hopeless and only encourages bad actors to take liberties with the truth and the law, aware there will be no repercussions. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 18 Sep. 2024 In 2021, 42% of U.S. high school students felt persistently sad or hopeless, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control. Aditi Shrikant, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2024 Candidates and their campaigns can affect how hopeful, and hopeless, Americans feel. Susan Page, USA TODAY, 15 Sep. 2024 The 36 years of waiting have left them exhausted, angry, and disoriented — but never hopeless. Nicolás Viñuela, NBC News, 15 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hopeless 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hopeless.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Thesaurus Entries Near hopeless

Cite this Entry

“Hopeless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopeless. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on hopeless

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