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
Jeffrey Sanchez-Burks, Fortune, 13 May 2026
His negligence could have resulted in further despair.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 12 May 2026
Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 26 Feb. 2026
Democrats rejoiced; Republicans despaired.
—Kevin Igoe, Baltimore Sun, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for despair
Noun
That’s not a reason to despair.
—Jeffrey Sanchez-Burks, Fortune, 13 May 2026
His negligence could have resulted in further despair.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 12 May 2026
Verb
As someone who regularly despairs over the choice between a sweet or savory breakfast meal, this was a godsend.
—Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 26 Feb. 2026
Democrats rejoiced; Republicans despaired.
—Kevin Igoe, Baltimore Sun, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for despair
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despair
Noun
-
In desperation, Layla calls her estranged sister Shams (Abeer Mohammed), living in territory governed by the other side.—
Jay Weissberg,
Variety,
17 May 2026
-
On her third match point, Svitolina dug a ball out of the corner, chased one down near the service line, then charged the net and blocked the final ball past Gauff with a desperation stab.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
While the days of wearing in-flight formalwear are long gone (much to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s dismay), there are wardrobe clues that may imply someone is headed to a boardroom and not the beach.—
Joey Skladany,
Travel + Leisure,
15 May 2026
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In addition to her comment on McDonald's post, Yvette Nicole Brown also expressed her dismay over Pratt's run on Threads.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Researchers and healthcare providers say those who witnessed the shooting — children and adults — and those grieving the deaths of the three men are most at risk to experience mental health symptoms in the immediate aftermath.—
Rhitu Chatterjee,
NPR,
20 May 2026
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As authorities try to determine what led to the loss of five lives, Sommaca is left to grieve a wife and daughter.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
The prospect filled me with surprising sadness.—
Hannah Goldfield,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
The bittersweet tale infused with humor and sadness chimed with the Cannes audience.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
15 May 2026
Noun
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Despite heavy discouragement from local authorities, macaques are unlikely to reduce their junk food consumption, given the popularity of the tourist attraction and their history of interacting with humans dating back to the 18th century.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
23 Apr. 2026
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More than 100 Manus employees moved into Meta’s Singapore offices in early March, CNBC has learned, signaling the controversial AI business deal has moved ahead despite Beijing’s discouragement.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The deepest reason for this near-universal futility is that most of us remain imprisoned by the delusions of the ego, suffering from alternating cravings and revulsions.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
-
Alt suffered two ankle injuries, the second of which ended his season in Week 9.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
Noun
-
Advertisement For decades, the dominant story about Watts was one of pathology and hopelessness.—
Terry McDonell,
Time,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The other featured a comeback that saw hopelessness turn into jubilation.—
Peter Warren,
Houston Chronicle,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Amidst this backdrop, Haruka Ayase and Daigo Yamamoto play a young couple mourning the recent death of their son, who brings a humanoid child robot into their home.—
Scott Feinberg,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
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Cunnane didn’t mourn the sad state of his headgear, though.—
Adam Van Brimmer,
AJC.com,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Despair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despair. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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