DESPAIRER Synonyms: 108 Similar and Opposite Words

despair 1 of 2

noun

di-ˈsper

Definition of despair

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

as in dismay

the state of being discouraged the other team's temporary lead caused some momentary despair

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonio Muñoz Molina shares a catalogue of despair and inspiration (trans. — Literary Hub, 27 July 2026 That night, my mother’s own beloved sister sensed my despair. — Thao Thai, PEOPLE, 25 July 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

Noun

Quarterback Caleb Williams tried to thread a desperation end zone throw to Burden through three defenders with three seconds on the clock.

— Kevin Fishbain, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Sky hit a desperation double-stomp and the match reached a stalemate.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of desperation

Noun

Locals sought to protect the land, which had long housed a storied artist residency program, from development, but in the end the foundation sold it to the South Seas resort for $45 million, to the dismay of many.

— Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 7 Aug. 2026
We’re filled with dismay at the hard left turn the Democratic Party has been taking in this primary season, and El-Sayed’s narrow win is still a win.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of dismay

Verb

Schaldemose plays grieving widow Anna who returns to Hel Island to bury her late husband after his suicide, and is promptly cast out by the eccentric locals for being a symbol of bad luck and evil.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026
Peter trying to have a normal holiday while grieving Tony, Mysterio’s deception, and the post-credits scene that blows Peter’s life apart — all of it feeds into where the new film finds him.

— Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of grieve

Noun

Her sadness and traumatic experiences, such as the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing and the death of her ex-boyfriend Mac Miller in 2018, have become intertwined with her career.

— Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 31 July 2026
Compared to individual contributors, leaders were substantially more likely–by seven percentage points–to report experiencing a lot of stress, anger (+12 points), sadness (+11 points) and loneliness (+10 points) the previous day.

— Barnaby Lashbrooke, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of sadness

Noun

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
Opposition, discouragement, and doubt surrounded the effort to rebuild.

— Liesl Ehmke, Christian Science Monitor, 15 July 2026

Definition of discouragement

Verb

Three had suffered burns, one seriously enough to be hospitalized twice and sent to a burn center after the injury was initially waved off as minor.

— Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Wiroon Supasingsiripreecha, head of the institute, said most of the victims suffered a single fatal gunshot wound to a vital area, including the chest or head.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of suffer

Noun

But in recent months and years, a sense of hopelessness has increasingly gripped those still remaining on the island.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
With the current political climate, Love sees the hopelessness in the world and took it upon herself to create room for people to be a part of a community that desires to curate a safe space.

— Zuri Primos July 27, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026

Definition of hopelessness

Browse Nearby Words

desolations

despair

despaired

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“Despair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despair. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of despair

noun

verb

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