hopeless

adjective

hope·​less ˈhō-pləs 

1

a

: having no expectation of good or success : despairing

felt hopeless and alone

b

: not susceptible to remedy or cure

doctors say his condition is hopeless

c

: incapable of redemption or improvement

She's a hopeless romantic.

the most hopeless group of golfers you've ever seen

2

a

: giving no reason to expect good or success : giving no ground for hope : desperate

The situation looked hopeless.

b

: incapable of solution, management, or accomplishment : impossible

a hopeless task

hopelessness noun

Synonyms of hopeless

• incurable

Choose the Right Synonym for hopeless

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 hopeless in a Sentence

He felt confused and hopeless after losing his job.

We were the most hopeless group of golfers you ever saw.

He's very ill, but his condition isn't hopeless.

Recent Examples on the Web

Twin Cities history holds many lessons for civic culture-building in a divided time, when many feel powerless and hopeless. —Harry Boyte, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026

Additionally, healthcare providers stress obesity is a chronic health condition and anybody feeling hopeless should seek immediate help like that available through the National Lifeline by calling or texting 988. —Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 7 Feb. 2026

Learning to separate fantasy from reality can be uncomfortable, especially for hopeless romantics. —Jenna Ryu, SELF, 6 Feb. 2026

From what looked like a hopeless position just a few weeks ago, the subscribers are now off the bottom of the table and gearing up for a potential title challenge. —Oliver Kay, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

hopeless

adjective

hope·​less ˈhō-pləs 

1

a

: having no expectation of good or success

b

: incurable

2

a

: giving no reason for hope : desperate

a hopeless situation

b

: incapable of solution or accomplishment : impossible

a hopeless task

hopelessly adverb

hopelessness noun