1
as in desperation
utter loss of hope
the endless drought drove the farmers to despair
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of despair
Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 7 May 2025
Democrats and Republicans alike would do well to recognize that increasing polarization is the most likely result of aggressive posturing, spinning us into doom loops of despair.
—Timothy Shriver, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025
Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2025
But don’t despair, even if the hacker has changed your Gmail password, recovery email and telephone, disabled the existing two-factor authentication method and replaced it with a hardware key, and even enabled Google’s Advanced Protection Program, all is not lost.
—Davey Winder, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for despair
Noun
Curated by the National Trust, the list includes sites in despair and at risk from natural disasters.
—Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 7 May 2025
Democrats and Republicans alike would do well to recognize that increasing polarization is the most likely result of aggressive posturing, spinning us into doom loops of despair.
—Timothy Shriver, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025
Verb
In the early, chaotic days of the COVID-19 pandemic, transitional-kindergarten teacher Elizabeth Lam despaired.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2025
But don’t despair, even if the hacker has changed your Gmail password, recovery email and telephone, disabled the existing two-factor authentication method and replaced it with a hardware key, and even enabled Google’s Advanced Protection Program, all is not lost.
—Davey Winder, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for despair
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despair
Noun
-
Vegas, now in desperation mode, will have to resolve its disappearing offense and win the battle of urgency against Edmonton — something Jack Eichel said his team lacked on Monday.—
Sarah Jean Maher,
New York Times,
14 May 2025
-
Critics argue the murders were calculated acts of greed, rather than acts of desperation by abuse victims.—
Hanna Park,
CNN Money,
14 May 2025
Noun
-
To the surprise of a few and the dismay of many, Mott elected to ship the Derby winner back to his Saratoga Springs base to train for the Belmont Stakes on June 7.—
Teresa Genaro,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
-
Her father, much to her dismay, turned out to be partly responsible for the nuclear attacks that destroyed their world.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
14 May 2025
Verb
-
Set in the near future after Ukraine has emerged victorious in its war with Russia, the film follows a philosophy professor grieving the death of his wife whose life is upended when the ancient Greek gods return to Earth.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
18 May 2025
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Beneath the bondage and demands, there’s genuine caring between Ray and Colin, like when the former assembles his crew to celebrate the latter’s birthday, or when Ray helps a grieving Colin collect himself.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
18 May 2025
Noun
-
And the emotional toll and anxiety keep mounting up: discouragement, depression, and a reluctance to even try anymore.—
Robin Ryan,
Forbes.com,
6 May 2025
-
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
Verb
-
The three individuals allegedly took part in the assault of a 16-year-old girl who had recently suffered a miscarriage, her family told the Star-Telegram.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 May 2025
-
Beer plays Laura, a young piano student in Berlin suffering an unspecified mental crisis at the outset of proceedings.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
17 May 2025
Verb
-
The community of 14,000 people mourned the married father of two as a neighborly person who showed up to help others.—
Sophia Tareen,
Chicago Tribune,
20 May 2025
-
Henry Long, the father of the victim, released a statement mourning the death of his daughter and calling for Finch to stay in jail.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2025
Noun
-
The wind of sorrows is so violent today and sweeps up the weakest — the hostages of October 7 and all the hostages — the prisoners, the drowned, who endure terror and die in a terrible feeling of abandonment and indifference.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
13 May 2025
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Her words pierced through the haze of sorrow and became an enduring truth.—
Carissa Talmage,
People.com,
2 May 2025
Verb
-
Manu diving can hurt The researchers caution that the manu maneuver is not only difficult but can be risky and painful.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
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Unfavorable weather hurt sales demand, but sales on Lowe’s website and among home professionals grew, Ellison said on the company’s earnings call.—
Melissa Repko,
CNBC,
21 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Despair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despair. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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