Definition of DESPAIR

Synonyms & Antonyms for despair

Synonyms: Noun

Synonyms: Verb

Antonyms: Noun

Antonyms: Verb

Examples of despair in a Sentence

Noun

On the occasion of Johnson's tercentenary, Martin (A Life of James Boswell) searches out the psychological elements covered up by Boswell and others: the immense insecurities, bouts of deep depression, corrosive self-doubt and, in his last days, despair for his very soul. — Publishers Weekly, 21 July 2008 Players who'd been on the 2004 Olympic team joked about whether their two bronze medals equaled one silver. There was none of the despair or finger-pointing that followed the world championships in '02, when Team USA finished sixth. — Kelly Anderson, Sports Illustrated, 11 Sept. 2006 The people who try to save endangered species in Hawaii are immune to despair. They have to be, to keep doing what they do. — Lawrence Downes, New York Times, 19 Dec. 2004 His despair nearly drove him mad. I was overcome by despair at being unable to find them. She finally gave up in despair. The people were driven to despair by the horrors of war. This latest setback has brought her to the depths of despair.

Verb

It is possible that at this stage Caesar had not altogether despaired of a consensual solution to the difficulties facing the Republic. — Anthony Everitt, Cicero, (2001) 2003 Sometimes it is hard not to despair about relations between men and women in American society. They seem to have hit rock bottom. — Elisabeth Lasch-Quinn, New Republic, 6 May 2002 Yet, until very recently, Alzheimer's was so poorly understood that scientists despaired of finding a treatment, much less a cure. — Ken Garber, Technology, March 2001 Things look bad now, but don't despair. we despaired when we saw how little time we had left to complete our project

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

This would seem a fierce rallying cry in the culture war, but really — like the denunciations of the American political order from a smattering of Catholic writers — comes from a place of despair that, if acted on, would promise only futility. — Rich Lowry, National Review, "The Post-Liberal Dead End," 7 June 2019 There's an overwhelming sense of despair and anxiety that permeates this expressive Young Forever track, but its incongruous nature keeps it from ever becoming awash in total melancholy. — Billboard Staff, Billboard, "BTS' 50 Best Songs: Critics' Picks," 12 June 2018 Merwin wrote movingly and with despair about The Vietnam War, rejecting his first Pulitzer Prize in 1971 for The Carrier of Ladders in protest. — Bridget Read, Vogue, "W.S. Merwin, Prize-Winning Poet and Conservationist, Has Died at 91," 15 Mar. 2019 In this moment, though, there is no good use for the undercurrent of despair beneath the tidal wave of anger that accompanied the rejections. — Marcus Hayes, Philly.com, "Sixers weren't ready for LeBron James or Paul George | Marcus Hayes," 4 July 2018 Like all the best dance songs, Mitski’s smartly catchy melody hides a story of loneliness despite it all, flecked with strains of both jubilant independence and despair. — Raisa Bruner, Time, "5 Songs You Need to Listen to This Week," 29 June 2018 Tension and despair were real, but a new solidarity emerged. — Erika P. Rodriguez, Smithsonian, "The Slow Recovery in Puerto Rico," 27 June 2018 Cranston has layered thick his white-man ennui, tapping into but also reinventing that Walter White–flavored despair in the persona of Howard Beale, a struggling news anchor at the end of his rope. — Chloe Schama, Vogue, "A New Theatrical Adaptation of Network Is All About the Rage," 7 Dec. 2018 And it is accompanied by something just as destructive: a sense of pervasive despair. — Casey Newton, The Verge, "The 8-year-olds hacking our voting machines," 4 Aug. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Viewers who love Susan Boyle shouldn't despair too much. — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "'America's Got Talent' and Susan Boyle Fans Are Livid After Shin Lim Wins 'Champions'," 19 Feb. 2019 Throughout New York, fans of Mexico (tacos al pastor!), Japan (Sapporo!), Uruguay (chivito!) and Nigeria (goat head!), in addition to 28 other nations, will be exulting or despairing at pubs and restaurants all over the five boroughs. — George Vecsey, New York Times, "Watching the 2018 World Cup? Polyglot New York Has Got You Covered," 15 June 2018 If you're bummed about some of your favorite fall TV shows ending, don't despair too much: another one of your favorite series, a.k.a. — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "'American Idol' Will Change in Some Major Ways When the New Season Starts in 2019," 19 Nov. 2018 Authorities have been under pressure to free Ssentamu, who is challenging the long rule of Museveni by appealing to young people who despair over the lack of jobs and other opportunities. — Rodney Muhumuza, The Seattle Times, "Ugandan pop star, government critic Bobi Wine free on bail," 27 Aug. 2018 Most had despaired of finding a liberal with backbone or a conservative with a heart. — Larry Tye, BostonGlobe.com, "An open letter to Joe Kennedy III: Here’s how to run for president," 29 May 2018 The store’s staff publicized the loss, but ultimately despaired of ever seeing the scooter again. — Martin Weil, Washington Post, "Prized motor scooter, a store’s symbol of Italy, found after long absence," 4 Apr. 2018 This despairing 17-minute allegory from 1965 — the last film by Trnka, the Czech stop-motion animation pioneer — is a highlight among the 20 shorts and eight features in this series, the first complete retrospective of his work in the United States. — Mike Hale, New York Times, "The Film Festivals of New York: A Tasting Menu," 4 Apr. 2018 Other prisoners despaired at not being included among those released, with one trying to kill himself by taking pills, according to witnesses. — Maggie Michael, BostonGlobe.com, "In Yemen, 46 detainees released from UAE-controlled prison," 4 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'despair.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.