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
Morgan Lee, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
His family is suing the company, alleging that the AI companion deepened his despair, says O’Neill.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 7 Mar. 2026
The New Yorker, New Yorker, 31 Dec. 2025
Well, don't despair, as the OnlyMotion system is designed to make your existing dropper seatpost electric.
—New Atlas, 27 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for despair
Noun
The calls to 911 poured in from staff at Camp East Montana in Texas, the nation’s largest ICE detention facility, at a rate of nearly one a day for five months, each its own tale of pain and despair.
—Morgan Lee, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
His family is suing the company, alleging that the AI companion deepened his despair, says O’Neill.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
The book’s tone shifts from philosophical to playful to despairing to sensual, and on around again.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 31 Dec. 2025
Well, don't despair, as the OnlyMotion system is designed to make your existing dropper seatpost electric.
—New Atlas, 27 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for despair
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despair
Noun
-
This day in sports history 1943 — Eddie Dancker banks in a desperation 25-foot hook shot from the corner to give Sheboygan a 30-29 win over Fort Wayne and the National Basketball League crown.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
What is beauty if not precisely the property that provokes us to abandon all pretense of analytic remove in our desperation to draw closer?—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But some local residents responded with dismay.—
Mikayla Bunnell,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Over the next two weekends, Los Angeles will be flooded by long-distance runners and the film industry’s biggest stars — much to the delight of fans and the dismay of drivers trying to make their way through the city.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
With four of Kobe Bryant’s former youth players on its squad, Sage Hill defeated Ontario Christian for its first CIF-SS championship as sports emerged from the pandemic and a grieving community stepped toward healing.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
11 Mar. 2026
-
When Leon became suddenly ill and died in January 1926, the grieving chef retook the helm, but only briefly.—
Nancy Vienneau,
Southern Living,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There is only sadness that they're gone.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Osanmoh notes that although losing might elicit some feelings of sadness, disappointment, and even anger in kids of all ages, this outcome has serious value.—
Stephanie Ganz,
Parents,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
And given all the ambient discouragement against speaking up about this particular cause, solidarity isn’t just a buzzword.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
-
SpongeBob doesn’t stay stuck in discouragement or disappointment for long, but rather looks for something positive to focus on.—
Liz Regalia,
Parents,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Despite their bravado, the Houthis have suffered significant losses during their conflict with Israel.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Cardiff finished bottom of the Premier League in the 2013-14 campaign, before Caulker again suffered relegation from the top flight with Queens Park Rangers the following season.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
If your friend or family member is struggling to keep up with daily responsibilities, constantly ruminating about relationship issues, or expressing a sense of hopelessness, consider bringing it up, says Francesca Emma, a therapist in New York.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
24 Feb. 2026
-
His motion veered between expressions of hopelessness and elaborate proposals for prisoner exchanges.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Arab world is not mourning.—
Andrew Ghalili,
Boston Herald,
7 Mar. 2026
-
During perhaps the most rousing eulogy of all on Saturday, Jackson’s second-oldest son, Jonathan, referenced his father’s journey from then to now, while a who’s-who of faith leaders, heads of state, dignitaries, power brokers and celebrities mourned before him.—
Darcel Rockett,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Despair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despair. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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