despair

noun de·spair \ di-ˈsper \

|Updated on: 11 Jul 2018

Examples: despair in a Sentence

Definition of despair

1 : utter loss of hope

a cry of despair

gave up in despair

2 : a cause of hopelessness

an incorrigible child is the despair of his parents

See despair defined for English-language learners

Examples of despair in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of despair from the Web

Their stories, filmed over 18 months, tell of crime, histories of addiction, joblessness and the struggle for recovery in a part of the country that is as stunning in its beauty as is in its despair.

— jeffrey fleishman, latimes.com, "Documentary films explore the despair of America's heroin and opioid epidemic," 6 July 2018
Griffith increasingly takes solace in drink, thanks to his discovery of a secret stash of liquor, while Howell sinks further and further into despair.

— frank scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, "'The Lighthouse': Film Review," 4 July 2018
If by then Russia’s last tsar felt abandoned and forgotten, then the family must have sensed it too and shared in his despair.

— caroline hallemann, Town & Country, "Inside the Romanov Family's Final Days," 1 July 2018
There's something kind of funny and satisfying about idolizing the right kind of con at a time when so much of our daily despair is caused by the wrong kind of con.

— cady drell, Marie Claire, "Everything You Need to Know About the Summer of Scam," 19 June 2018
For Merton, however, pride only separates us from God and leads us into despair.

— j.r. jones, Chicago Reader, "Paul Schrader’s First Reformed finds pride at the root of despair," 24 May 2018
If not for an Alex Bregman diving stop of Francisco Lindor's leadoff missile — hit at 105.4 mph, too — the inning spirals further into despair.

— chandler rome, Houston Chronicle, "Corey Kluber shuts down Astros in loss to Indians," 19 May 2018
One morning nine years ago — at the height of her despair — Ieshia Champs thought about ending it all and driving her car off a freeway bridge after dropping her children off at daycare.

— lindsay kimble, ajc, "Mom of five, once a high school dropout, graduates from law school top of her class with help from her kids," 14 May 2018
One morning nine years ago — at the height of her despair — Ieshia Champs thought about ending it all and driving her car off a freeway bridge after dropping her children off at daycare.

— lindsay kimble, PEOPLE.com, "Mom of Five, Once a High School Dropout, Graduates from Law School with Help from Her Kids," 14 May 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.

Origin and Etymology of despair

see ²despair

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

despair Synonyms

Phrases

slough of despond;

despair

verb

Definition of despair

intransitive verb

: to lose all hope or confidence

despair of winning

transitive verb

obsolete : to lose hope for

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despairer

noun