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
Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
Anna and Robert, however, despair over the imminent disruption of the family unit, and drastic, escalatingly calamitous steps are taken toward maintaining the status quo.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
Anyone who ever despaired about their outstanding mortgage remaining virtually static despite months of repayments will relate.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for despair
Noun
Our New Year’s health resolutions may be out the window by now, but don’t despair.
—Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
Anna and Robert, however, despair over the imminent disruption of the family unit, and drastic, escalatingly calamitous steps are taken toward maintaining the status quo.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
The news of her 23-year-old son’s execution shocked and despaired the world.
—Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
Anyone who ever despaired about their outstanding mortgage remaining virtually static despite months of repayments will relate.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for despair
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despair
Noun
-
The Guthrie family's 'hour of desperation' The Guthrie family has posted several videos on social media over the past two weeks, addressing both Savannah Guthrie's followers and a person who may have abducted Nancy Guthrie.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Daytona, after all, is a place where desperation reigns.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The two become inseparable, to the dismay of Cathy’s paid companion Nelly (Vi Nguyen), and only become closer after Heathcliff takes a beating on Cathy’s behalf from her alcoholic father (Martin Clunes) for missing his birthday celebration.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
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Social media users expressed their dismay at the site crash and how quickly the kits sold out.—
Katey Psencik,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While a celebratory mood spreads across the country, survivors of a deadly fire in Hong Kong are still grieving with little to celebrate, like this man who lost his wife in the blaze.—
CNN staff,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
-
One of the other cheer moms who spoke with Fox News Digital confirmed there had been tensions among some parents but said the focus now is on the children grieving.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Rosalía joined in September, writing about the purpose of her art but also the sadness around her birthday.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The manipulations also affected how much sadness and anger participants reported feeling while scrolling.—
Simon Makin,
Scientific American,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And given all the ambient discouragement against speaking up about this particular cause, solidarity isn’t just a buzzword.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
-
SpongeBob doesn’t stay stuck in discouragement or disappointment for long, but rather looks for something positive to focus on.—
Liz Regalia,
Parents,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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An autopsy found that Deranque suffered a fractured skull and fatal brain injuries, according to Lyon's prosecutor, Thierry Dran.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
-
One suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to another area hospital, and remains in critical but stable condition.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
His motion veered between expressions of hopelessness and elaborate proposals for prisoner exchanges.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The American intelligence community has long known that insurgent groups—many of which openly seek the destruction of the United States—rely on desperation, food insecurity, and hopelessness to gain recruits.—
Hana Kiros,
The Atlantic,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Navalny’s body was finally returned a week after his death, and thousands turned out to mourn him at a funeral in Moscow.—
Freddie Clayton,
NBC news,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Wiz Khalifa is mourning the loss of his father.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Despair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despair. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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