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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of despair
John Aguilar, Denver Post, 6 Nov. 2025
Now that three years have passed, Haddish tells me this feeling of despair was temporary.
—Zak Cheney-Rice, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2025
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Sep. 2025
While the first Korean drop vanished instantly, U.S. fans don’t have to despair.
—Lanee Lee, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for despair
Noun
Liberals attempting to form a majority on the Aurora City Council have endured several election cycles of despair.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 6 Nov. 2025
Now that three years have passed, Haddish tells me this feeling of despair was temporary.
—Zak Cheney-Rice, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
But other costs have added to despair: the relative prices of housing, healthcare, and student debt have risen.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Sep. 2025
While the first Korean drop vanished instantly, U.S. fans don’t have to despair.
—Lanee Lee, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for despair
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despair
Noun
-
In desperation, Ben calls their older sister Hannah (Alexandra Daddario), despite scant contact since she got thrown out of the family home years prior.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Two goals down with 30 minutes left, Charlotte pushed forward with desperation but lacked precision.—
Colin Cerniglia,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Summit players fell to the turf in dismay; Seguin players jubilantly sprinted around the visitor’s turf.—
Cody Thorn,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Nov. 2025
-
See video … MICHELLE BACKUS – Zohran Mamdani’s fiery speech surprises some, to the dismay of others.—
,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Among those grieving is Karen Taylor Bass.—
Karen Taylor Bass,
Billboard,
6 Nov. 2025
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However, the tale of a grieving husband and father quickly unraveled as Murdaugh’s laundry list of financial crimes – and elaborate cover-up schemes – against his legal clients came to light.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Followers and fans of Tika online expressed their sadness in the comment section.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
-
And in the last days of August, laughter and pot would waft over the scene, happiness laced with sadness.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Labor market discouragement can come from weakness in the overall job market, shifts in industrial composition, or barriers or constraints that affect specific workers.—
Kathryn Anne Edwards,
Twin Cities,
27 Oct. 2025
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Others expressed frustration over technical issues and data loss, compounding feelings of discouragement.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Gjoshe had suffered a deep wound to his upper arm and had to wait until Tuesday for surgery.—
Philip Buckingham,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
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Investigators found the bodies nearby — Davis and Shelton had been shot, Friedt had been stabbed with a hunting knife whose blade broke off in her chest, and Flemmons died from asphyxiation after suffering blunt-force injuries, per A&E, citing Julie Young’s book The Burger Chef Murders in Indiana.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
However, amid the current turmoil in all three branches of our government, the show echoes a tone of hopelessness.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
6 Nov. 2025
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In a world fraught with real-life villains, political upheaval and a collective sense of hopelessness, fantasy steps in to inspire people to carry on, and that rings especially true for LGBTQ+ teens.—
Brittany Johnson,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Few around Toronto will mourn the loss of Primeau on waivers to the Hurricanes.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Dolphins in the wild have been known to mourn the loss of their young, with one grieving dolphin mother carrying the body of her deceased calf for days off the coast of New Zealand in 2019.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Despair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despair. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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