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
Thomas Smith, Billboard, 15 Apr. 2025
Minnie was summoned more than once to her daughter’s bedside to say goodbye, but, in 1915, a different voice rescued McPherson from death and despair.
—Casey Cep, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Families of children with disabilities have despaired over what could come of the federal department's work protecting their rights.
—TIME, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for despair
Noun
In the final scene of episode four, Graham’s character heads to his son’s bedroom and breaks down in tears full of sorrow, rage and despair.
—Thomas Smith, Billboard, 15 Apr. 2025
Minnie was summoned more than once to her daughter’s bedside to say goodbye, but, in 1915, a different voice rescued McPherson from death and despair.
—Casey Cep, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
Pride will be hurting, but Brazil shouldn’t despair too much.
—Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Families of children with disabilities have despaired over what could come of the federal department's work protecting their rights.
—TIME, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for despair
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despair
Noun
-
According to the logline, Nook dreams of a better life but is caught in a rampant cycle of poverty and desperation within his Atlanta community.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
2 May 2025
-
There was energy and joy but the mood was thick with desperation and laced with danger.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Much to his dismay, though, the Elimination Challenge is to create a tasting menu based on pickles — a food Tristen apparently loathes.—
Caroline Framke,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025
-
To June's dismay, her best friend is also determined to stay back and fight.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
That particular parade took its toll on Parton, who is still grieving her longtime love.—
Rachel McRady,
People.com,
2 May 2025
-
What grieving parents need most is for their child to be remembered.—
Friends of Karen,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
Noun
-
Economic cooling, policy discouragement of conspicuous consumption, and a younger generation’s shifting priorities have combined to erode growth assumptions.—
Kate Hardcastle,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
-
There is also time delays and administrative inconvenience and burden at each step that creates more obstacles and discouragement to voting.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Cory Sandhagen dominated Deiveson Figueiredo before the latter suffered a knee injury in a 50-50 position that forced a submission.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
-
One resident in the home Montana shot at suffered a non-life-threatening injury in the shooting, and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.—
August Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2025
Verb
-
Under the blasting sun, mourners prayed, celebrated, and mourned the life of the late pope.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Pope Francis' funeral will see President Donald Trump and other world leaders converge on Rome as the Catholic Church mourns the head of the Holy See.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
And then, to forever live on earth, in a place with conflict and pain and sorrow, that’s not her goal.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2025
-
In churches like this, where belief is expressed in multiple languages, the loss of a pope is a death in the family, and the sorrow, like the faith, runs deep.—
Janet Shamlian,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Eleven people were killed and at least 20 more hurt in a , police said Sunday.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2025
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Self-righteousness shrouds our refusal to let hurt fade from recall.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Despair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despair. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
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