despairing

adjective

de·​spair·​ing di-ˈsper-iŋ 

: given to, arising from, or marked by despair : devoid of hope

a despairing sigh

despairingly

di-ˈsper-iŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of despairing

• hopeless
• cynical

Choose the Right Synonym for despairing

despondent, despairing, desperate, hopeless mean having lost all or nearly all hope.

despondent implies a deep dejection arising from a conviction of the uselessness of further effort.

despondent about yet another rejection

despairing suggests the slipping away of all hope and often despondency.

despairing appeals for the return of the kidnapped child

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

hopeless suggests despair and the cessation of effort or resistance and often implies acceptance or resignation.

the situation of the trapped miners is hopeless

Examples of despairing in a Sentence

despairing predictions regarding the effects of global overpopulation

despairing applicants need to be reminded that most students are eventually accepted somewhere

Recent Examples on the Web

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, 2 June 2026

Still, Ohm is more despairing and miserable than any of the wretched worms Scott has acted to date. —Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026

Irony doesn’t have to be nihilistic or despairing. —Aaron Matz, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of despair entry 2

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for despairing

• childbearing
• comparing
• declaring
• forbearing
• impairing
• preparing
• repairing
• ridesharing
• timesharing
• uncaring
• unerring
• unsparing

Kids Definition

despairing

adjective

de·​spair·​ing

di-ˈspa(ə)r-iŋ, 

-ˈspe(ə)r-

: given to, coming from, or marked by despair : not having hope

despairingly

-iŋ-lē 

adverb