despair 1 of 2

noun

di-ˈsper How to pronounce despair (audio)
Definition of despairnext
1
as in desperation
utter loss of hope the endless drought drove the farmers to despair

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2
as in dismay
the state of being discouraged the other team's temporary lead caused some momentary despair

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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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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
The filmmakers sensitively tell this story of unbridled hope followed by despair. — Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026 However, that jubilation naturally must be paired with despair. — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 18 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
  1. desperation
  2. dismay
  3. grieve
  4. sadness
  5. discouragement
  6. suffer
  7. hopelessness
  8. mourn
Noun
  • Newcastle caved at the last reckoning, spent in desperation and laboured in the Premier League, finishing 12th.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The regime's risk tolerance may be increasing, but so is its desperation.
    — Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of desperation
Noun
  • In an appearance on Semafor’s Mixed Signals in the wake of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s win, Piker expressed dismay at being invoked in intra-Democratic debates.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Over the last six years, the pair have made a series of explosive allegations about what life was like inside the monarchy, much to the dismay of many members of the British royal family.
    — Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of dismay
Verb
  • Borowska partnered with Grief, Sweat & Tears to offer that class catering to grieving New Yorkers.
    — Sneha Dhandapani, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Consider these tips Gift giving is a very common way to show love and support when someone is grieving a loss.
    — Cody Godwin, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of grieve
Noun
  • But negative sentiment –— such as expressing frustration or sadness — slightly decreased it.
    — Elise Haulund, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Some say there is a fine line between anguish or sadness — and laughter.
    — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 23 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
Verb
  • Senior quarterback Xavier Vinson suffered suffered a chin injury for Warren in the second quarter of its Week 1 loss to Loyola and watched the rest of the game from the sidelines.
    — Bobby Narang, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Smith, one of the Aces’ starters and a key part of last year’s championship team, suffered a non-contact left leg injury against the Toronto Tempo on Sunday and left the game immediately.
    — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of suffer
Noun
  • These proposals, many times rooted in sympathy and love, were presented as alternatives to the political structures and market logic that had so often led to war, exploitation, hopelessness, and suffering.
    — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Their disaffection can create a culture of hopelessness and emotional stasis that lasts well past any economic recovery.
    — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of hopelessness
Verb
  • Comments on Haaland's Instagram post teasing the cut are mixed, with some fans loving the update and others mourning the loss of that platinum ponytail.
    — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The internet mourned when Twitter shuttered the six-second, looping video app Vine in 2017.
    — Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of mourn

Browse Nearby Words

desolations
despair
despaired
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Cite this Entry

“Despair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despair. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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