DESPAIR Synonyms: 108 Similar and Opposite Words

despair 1 of 2

noun

di-ˈsper

Definition of despair

as in desperation

utter loss of hope the endless drought drove the farmers to despair

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Technology fans don’t despair, there’s still the 8-inch touchscreen, but this too features more of Belgian comic artist Jean-Luc Delvaux’s work. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 13 Oct. 2026 His personal agony fused with despair over the military government, which continued to crack down on democracy activists. — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Verb

In 2014, the party despaired at the success of the Koch donor network — decades of right-wing philanthropy that paid off in the tea party movement. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 10 June 2026 And if the waitlist gets outrageous, don’t despair—there are many ways to slurp in Tomales Bay. — Becky Duffett, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for despair

Recent Examples of Synonyms for despair

Noun

The two-time Pro Bowl quarterback dislocated his right thumb when his throwing hand hit Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman on a desperation pass on fourth down that was intercepted late in the fourth quarter of a 23-16 loss in Week 3.

— Rob Maaddi, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Such a gamble could deepen Israel’s insecurity, but electoral desperation seldom improves anyone’s judgment.

— Ali Vaez, Time, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of desperation

Noun

When news got around that a new movie version of Sense and Sensibility was in the works, cries of dismay rang forth from Bath to Brooklyn.

— Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
To his dismay, many of the exultant people in cowboy hats, burnt orange T-shirts and other spirit gear appeared to be of South Asian heritage.

— Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of dismay

Verb

The drama, now streaming, traces her evolution from grieving mother to vengeful killer.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
As investigators search for answers, a restaurant is stepping in to help grieving families and those with loved ones in the hospital.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of grieve

Noun

There was a moment this week when tears of sadness gave way to elation for one California couple.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
The local journalists who cover the Bend community every day were not immune from the grief and sadness after today’s deadly shooting of children at an elementary school.

— Phil Helsel, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of sadness

Noun

In a paper in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, members of the WTA’s performance and health staff stressed the importance of providing support, rather than discouragement, to athletes seeking to preserve their fertility.

— Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of discouragement

Verb

Social media giant Meta was hit with a class action lawsuit in Australia on behalf of children and teenagers who allegedly suffered harm over the addictive design features and exposure to harmful content on its platforms Facebook and Instagram.

— Chad de Guzman, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Sexton, who missed all five preseason games, was a full participant in practice Monday and did not suffer a setback, Redick said.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of suffer

Noun

In that sense, the dead-end setting of their journey across a volatile landscape in which humans might be an afterthought seems to reflect their hopelessness.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
What could that dirt road and the horizon beyond it mean—hope or hopelessness?

— Hilton Als, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of hopelessness

Verb

Rock band Pavlov’s Dog is mourning the loss of singer-songwriter and lead vocalist David Surkamp, who died Monday at age 74.

— Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Dustin Hada, the head coach of Southern Nazarene’s football program, also mourned the loss of his player on social media.

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of mourn

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desolations

despair

despaired

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Style

“Despair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despair. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of despair

noun

verb

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