despair 1 of 2

noun

di-ˈsper How to pronounce despair (audio)
Definition of despairnext
1
as in desperation
utter loss of hope the endless drought drove the farmers to despair

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

despair

2 of 2

verb

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 show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of despair
Noun
Antonio Muñoz Molina shares a catalogue of despair and inspiration (trans. — Literary Hub, 27 July 2026 That night, my mother’s own beloved sister sensed my despair. — Thao Thai, PEOPLE, 25 July 2026
Verb
There won’t be a Knicks game this Sunday, but people looking to watch something full of New York pride should not despair. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 4 June 2026 Millions more suffered, starved and despaired in the rubble that was once their homes, businesses and places of worship. — Chicago Tribune, 13 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for despair
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despair
  1. desperation
  2. dismay
  3. grieve
  4. sadness
  5. discouragement
  6. suffer
  7. hopelessness
  8. mourn
Noun
  • Driven by desperation, the migrants are gambling that the consequences of getting caught in Canada will outweigh the risks of remaining in the United States, the Mounties and human rights officials said.
    — Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 29 July 2026
  • The mystery character, played by Sadie Sink, is also dealing with her own demons of loss and fatalistic desperation.
    — Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of desperation
Noun
  • Lionfish supplanted indigenous stocks like the red mullet to the dismay of fishers, who have seen local varieties popular with customers greatly diminish.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
  • Later, their tentative friendship turns into something more passionate — to the dismay of eavesdropping Asla, who realizes she is not the party Helge’s charm was aimed at.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 26 July 2026
Definition of dismay
Verb
  • Just over one week later, as the families continue to grieve and finalize the teens’ funeral plans, their thoughts and prayers are being sent to their friend in the hospital still fighting for his life.
    — Eric Adler July 28, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026
  • The families of these men and women grieving, heartbroken, yet filled with pride.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 July 2026
Definition of grieve
Noun
  • Out of sadness, but also out of hope and beauty and the belief that what was missing might eventually be found.
    — Thao Thai, PEOPLE, 25 July 2026
  • Corey Ruiz's mother, daughter, partner and siblings joined attorney Ben Crump, expressing their sadness and frustration about his death.
    — Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 24 July 2026
Definition of sadness
Noun
  • Despite the feeling of discouragement that can come with the rejections and even ghostings applicants face, these internships — though sometimes few and far between — still exist.
    — Cami Fateh, Vogue, 15 July 2026
  • Opposition, discouragement, and doubt surrounded the effort to rebuild.
    — Liesl Ehmke, Christian Science Monitor, 15 July 2026
Definition of discouragement
Verb
  • Receiver Malick Meiga out of Coastal Carolina appeared to suffer an injury during practice.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The suspect passenger suffered a foot injury from the crash and was taken to the hospital.
    — Julie Sharp, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Definition of suffer
Noun
  • With the current political climate, Love sees the hopelessness in the world and took it upon herself to create room for people to be a part of a community that desires to curate a safe space.
    — Zuri Primos July 27, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026
  • Surveys indicate that young women are experiencing their highest rates of hopelessness on record.
    — Elizabeth Dray, STAT, 21 July 2026
Definition of hopelessness
Verb
  • Angelo mourned his brother, who was just 14 when he was fatally shot by Colt, and asked the court to sentence Colt to life in prison without parole.
    — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 27 July 2026
  • That era of her catalog continues to perform well on the Billboard charts weeks after fans around the world began mourning her death.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of mourn

Browse Nearby Words

desolations
despair
despaired
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Cite this Entry

“Despair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despair. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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