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
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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
Guy Lodge, Variety, 3 Sep. 2025
But don’t despair, there’s more Wednesday content for Little Monsters to enjoy.
—Andy Swift, TVLine, 3 Sep. 2025
Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 8 July 2025
While those legendary spreads may be harder to come by these days, don't despair.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for despair
Noun
Some viewers will be fully immersed in the horror and despair of the moment, while others may have greater misgivings regarding Ben Hania’s layering of tearjerker tactics over material that hardly requires extra emotional amplification.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 3 Sep. 2025
But don’t despair, there’s more Wednesday content for Little Monsters to enjoy.
—Andy Swift, TVLine, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
While some may despair that widespread use of AI may upend the entire concept of higher education, some professors are already starting to see the tech’s usage among students as a positive thing.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 8 July 2025
While those legendary spreads may be harder to come by these days, don't despair.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for despair
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despair
Noun
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Daniels also threw a desperation pick while simply trying to get rid of the ball, but the game’s outcome was decided by then.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
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Tatum does stretch his acting abilities in scenes where Jeffrey’s con-man charisma is underlaid with desperation and deception, but there’s nothing in Cianfrance and Kirt Gunn’s screenplay to seriously challenge Tatum’s persona as a leading man.—
Katie Rife,
IndieWire,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Good morning, In April 2023, Rose’s Fine Food owner Molly Mitchell announced the closing of the charming diner after nine years, to much dismay.—
Lyndsay C. Green,
Freep.com,
4 Sep. 2025
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Swift’s dismay about a powerful ex became a fable for any girl courted by an older guy.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Kansas City’s restaurant community was reeling after his death, and the community showed an outpouring of support through monetary donations that went on to support Brady’s grieving family.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
4 Sep. 2025
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Fellow church members made phone calls, sent text messages and sent condolence cards to Cartwright during these periods of grieving.—
Jose R. Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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These movies commit to the dusty interior decoration and inherent sadness of their ghost stories, but have little feel for the profound interfamily dynamics therein.—
J. Kim Murphy,
Variety,
3 Sep. 2025
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So many of Lee’s memories of her mother are tinged with sadness and grief.—
Joan MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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So feelings of self-doubt, frustration, and discouragement start to kick in.—
Sho Dewan,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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Hours later, coach Ben Johnson remained aggravated, still sorting through how to deal with his discouragement over a frustrating first quarter.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Eastern Washington quarterback medical emergency Friday night’s game was momentarily paused in the fourth quarter after Eastern Washington senior quarterback Jared Taylor suffered a medical emergency on the sideline.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
6 Sep. 2025
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For those who will fill a sizeable chunk of the 52,769 seats on a regular basis, however, there are other, less heralded aspects to the new build that may well ensure Everton avoid the pitfalls suffered by other clubs when upping sticks from a beloved old home.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Today that sense of hopelessness has been replaced by a sense of determination and a good deal more hope.—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
6 Sep. 2025
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Bigelow’s explosively entertaining real-time thriller, told from multiple perspectives at various levels of government from situation room deputies to POTUS (Idris Elba) himself, does not mince on hopelessness.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Friends and coworkers continue to mourn her loss, remembering her optimism and generosity.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
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Donatella Versace, Milan’s mayor Giuseppe Sala and film directors Gabriele Salvatores and Giuseppe Tornatore were also among the crowds of people mourning.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Despair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despair. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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