1
as in desperation
utter loss of hope
the endless drought drove the farmers to despair
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dismay
the state of being discouraged
the other team's temporary lead caused some momentary despair
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to grieve
to lose all hope or confidence
we despaired when we saw how little time we had left to complete our project
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of despair
Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 30 Aug. 2025
In a final act of despair, Isabel drives her car off a cliff and into the sea with Rafael inside, killing them both.
—Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 29 Aug. 2025
Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 8 July 2025
While those legendary spreads may be harder to come by these days, don't despair.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for despair
Noun
Alienation, quiet, despair, violence; characters who live on the margins, characters who reach for the American dream and fall short because that’s much of America.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 30 Aug. 2025
In a final act of despair, Isabel drives her car off a cliff and into the sea with Rafael inside, killing them both.
—Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
While some may despair that widespread use of AI may upend the entire concept of higher education, some professors are already starting to see the tech’s usage among students as a positive thing.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 8 July 2025
While those legendary spreads may be harder to come by these days, don't despair.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for despair
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despair
Noun
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McBurrows read Harrell’s eyes the entire way, undercutting the desperation throw and making a diving interception.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Aug. 2025
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Adapted from an autobiographical novel by Frank Courtes, the film is in the trenches of Paul’s personal experience while retaining the perspective that most people who turn to Jobbing do so out of desperation rather than idealism.—
Sophie Monks Kaufman,
IndieWire,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Good morning, In April 2023, Rose’s Fine Food owner Molly Mitchell announced the closing of the charming diner after nine years, to much dismay.—
Lyndsay C. Green,
Freep.com,
4 Sep. 2025
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Swift’s dismay about a powerful ex became a fable for any girl courted by an older guy.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Kansas City’s restaurant community was reeling after his death, and the community showed an outpouring of support through monetary donations that went on to support Brady’s grieving family.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
4 Sep. 2025
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Fellow church members made phone calls, sent text messages and sent condolence cards to Cartwright during these periods of grieving.—
Jose R. Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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These movies commit to the dusty interior decoration and inherent sadness of their ghost stories, but have little feel for the profound interfamily dynamics therein.—
J. Kim Murphy,
Variety,
3 Sep. 2025
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So many of Lee’s memories of her mother are tinged with sadness and grief.—
Joan MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
So feelings of self-doubt, frustration, and discouragement start to kick in.—
Sho Dewan,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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Hours later, coach Ben Johnson remained aggravated, still sorting through how to deal with his discouragement over a frustrating first quarter.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
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At the onset of the pandemic, Airbnb faced a decline of 72% in revenue due to a drop in bookings and listings as the global tourism industry suffered from lockdowns.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
26 Aug. 2025
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Despite their contributions, the Wings have suffered five-straight losses, including an embarrassing 95-60 loss at home versus the Seattle Storm, and a 90-81 home loss to the Golden State Valkyries.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Sadness, hopelessness and depression too often get chalked up to adolescent angst or growing pains.—
Sara Feigenholtz,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Aug. 2025
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Forty percent of high school students reported experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in 2023, according to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.—
Kara Alaimo,
CNN Money,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Nashville Zoo is mourning the loss of the matriarch of its giraffe herd.—
Kirsten Fiscus,
Nashville Tennessean,
2 Sep. 2025
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Fellow Chicago boaters said that the boating community is mourning the loss of Abzal.—
Nadine El-Bawab,
ABC News,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Despair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despair. Accessed 6 Sep. 2025.
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