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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of despair
Ron Kampeas, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2026
Covering politics today is a grim dance between the vicious and the idiotic, between repulsion and despair.
—Megan McArdle, Washington Post, 10 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
Foxman also knew when to despair of reforming repeat offenders.
—Ron Kampeas, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2026
Covering politics today is a grim dance between the vicious and the idiotic, between repulsion and despair.
—Megan McArdle, Washington Post, 10 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
-
If the Lakers are going to find a new level of desperation and resilience to avoid a sweep – answers better emerge on the horizon.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
10 May 2026
-
Then, in a time of desperation, in the middle of March, Brown looked to Clarkson for the spark that has become synonymous with his career as a bench scorer.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Candor can cause dismay in the UConn Health executive suite.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
-
To add to their dismay, there isn’t much technological difference between the Connect and the Port.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
For parents grieving the death of child, regardless of age or circumstance.—
Staff Report,
Baltimore Sun,
13 May 2026
-
The 35-year-old mother of three, who self-published a children's book on grieving following her husband's death in 2022, was found guilty on all counts in March following a weekslong trial.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
There’s some sadness mixed with true joy.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2026
-
For McKidd, seeing Dane included in the finale montage brought both sadness and gratitude.—
Deirdre Durkan,
PEOPLE,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
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
-
What wasn’t in the plan was that Durkin, who’s also a baseball player for the Eagles, would suffer a minor groin injury running the bases during Monday’s 7-6 win over Homewood-Flossmoor.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
-
The outlet reported three people suffered injuries in the crash.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
The other featured a comeback that saw hopelessness turn into jubilation.—
Peter Warren,
Houston Chronicle,
28 Mar. 2026
-
For her and many other Iranians who spoke to CNN – their surnames withheld to protect their identities – the past three weeks have been filled with a sense of hopelessness and fear.—
Leila Gharagozlou,
CNN Money,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Gen Curtis King, commanding general of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, said his troops are mourning Key’s loss.—
Molly Parks,
The Washington Examiner,
10 May 2026
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But giraffes may have the capacity to mourn, too, anthropologist Barbara King, the author of How Animals Grieve, wrote in Scientific American in 2013.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Despair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despair. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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