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
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 25 May 2026
The furor leads even Herold to despair.
—Jeremy Fugleberg, Twin Cities, 23 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
The relief at Spurs, the despair at West Ham, the heartfelt gratitude at Anfield and the Emirates.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 25 May 2026
The furor leads even Herold to despair.
—Jeremy Fugleberg, Twin Cities, 23 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
-
Not to be outdone, Vikingo hit a desperation crucifix driver.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
The Phillies still trailed, and the move reeked of desperation from Mattingly, who is desperate because his team cannot score runs.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
The move ended a mutual defense treaty between Washington and Taipei, much to the dismay at the time of the US Congress, which quickly passed the Taiwan Relations Act to assert its role in relations across the Taiwan Strait.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
29 May 2026
-
Goldschmidt, lashing through the unhittable delivery, just stood in dismay.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
Perry’s grieving mother accuses Iwamasa of betraying his duty to protect her son.—
Brittny Mejia,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2026
-
Sometimes people also grieve versions of partners who no longer exist in the same way.—
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
The relationships Anaya and her teammates created will long outlast the sadness from getting outplayed Friday.—
Ethan Hanson,
Daily News,
30 May 2026
-
In a Facebook post, the Islamic Center drew connections between the holiday, the community’s sadness and the sacrifice the men made.—
Roxana Popescu,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 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
-
In January 2016, USS Fort Worth suffered damage to its propulsion system in Singapore.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
-
The victim suffered deep cranial and facial cuts and lost teeth in the attack.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
But despite the colorful surroundings, there’s a pervasive hopelessness in this off-kilter world that looks a lot like our own.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 May 2026
-
Advertisement For decades, the dominant story about Watts was one of pathology and hopelessness.—
Terry McDonell,
Time,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Amid playoff cheering hockey mourns the suicide of Claude Lemieux at 60.—
Greg Cote
May 31,
Miami Herald,
31 May 2026
-
The wronged wife can acknowledge or ignore the presence of the other woman, who may be mourning the death of the man as much or more than his wife is.—
Abigail Van Buren,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Despair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despair. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
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