despair

1 utter loss of hope the endless drought drove the farmers to despair Synonyms desperation, despond, despondence, despondency, forlornness, hopelessness Related Words blue devils, blues, dejection, depression, desolation, disconsolateness, dispiritedness, doldrums, dolor, downheartedness, dreariness, dumps, gloom, gloominess, joylessness, melancholy, mopes, oppression, sadness, sorrow, unhappiness; self-despair, self-pity; dolefulness, mournfulness, sorrowfulness, woefulness; agony, distress, pain; misery, woe, wretchedness; cynicism, pessimism; acceptance, resignation Phrases slough of despond Near Antonyms cheer, cheerfulness, sunniness; optimism; gaiety (also gayety), glee, gleefulness, jollity, joviality, lightheartedness, merriment, mirth, mirthfulness; bliss, blissfulness, ecstasy, elatedness, elation, euphoria, exhilaration, exuberance, exultation, gladness, happiness, joy, joyfulness, joyousness, jubilation, rapture, rapturousness Antonyms hope, hopefulness

2 the state of being discouraged the other team's temporary lead caused some momentary despair Synonyms demoralization, discouragement, despondency, disheartenment, dismay, dispiritednessRelated Words blues, dejection, depression, dumps, gloom, melancholy, mopes; defeatism, pessimism, resignationNear Antonyms optimism, sanguinityAntonyms encouragement