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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

As Rhaenyra slowly descends into a pit of despair, cruelty and desperation, Daemon and his armies run into some snags on their assault of Tumbleton thanks to the various tricks Lord Ormund has up his sleeves. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 When water rings ruin the finish on your end table, there’s no need to despair. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 10 Aug. 2026

Verb

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 There won’t be a Knicks game this Sunday, but people looking to watch something full of New York pride should not despair. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for despair

Recent Examples of Synonyms for despair

Noun

But in his desperation to find a Russian pressure point that could restart the peace process, Zelensky allowed preparations for the strikes to continue for several months this spring and early summer, both sources said.

— Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026
Mac Ghlionn paints a picture of desperation whereby the 65+ cohort must work to pay the bills, but the happier reality is that this is not your grandfather's 65.

— John Tamny, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of desperation

Noun

Despite four of the six miles being built underground, the construction in Norco would be entirely overhead, much to residents' dismay.

— Joy Benedict, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Giulio, a dissatisfied 16-year-old, drifts through life with no enthusiasm for his education or his future, much to his family’s dismay (particularly his endlessly frustrated mother, brilliantly played by Monica Bellucci).

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of dismay

Noun

At the same time, 40% reported experiencing stress, 23% reported sadness, 22% anger and 22% loneliness.

— Naira Velumyan, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Still, there are strains of deeper sadness and discomfort here, largely in the passive-aggressive tension between Kim’s character and her onscreen mother (superbly played by a new recuit, veteran TV star Choi Myeonggil).

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 15 Aug. 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

Noun

Although the wealthy Gulf oil states and small slivers of Arab elites flourished within this system, for most people the American order meant only violence, hopelessness, and deprivation.

— MARC LYNCH, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
But in recent months and years, a sense of hopelessness has increasingly gripped those still remaining on the island.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of hopelessness

Verb

People gathered at Downtown Park in Hopkins, Minnesota, on Monday night to mourn the deaths of 7-year-old Evie Brown, Kristen Brown and Alice Brown.

— Ashley Grams, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
In the time since her sudden death, celebrities publicly mourning include Viola Davis, Selma Blair, and Rosie O’Donnell.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 18 Aug. 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 24 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of despair

noun

verb

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