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
Chuka Emezue, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2025
Almost two decades later, his family — who spent years grappling with unanswered questions that only fueled their fear and despair — finally learned what happened to him.
—Sam Gillette, People.com, 13 June 2025
Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 2 May 2025
In a recent interview with the Korea Times Bae talked about the kind of societal expectations that might drive a young person to despair.
—Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for despair
Noun
All of it is shaping a generation at risk of mental health challenges, violence and despair.
—Chuka Emezue, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2025
Almost two decades later, his family — who spent years grappling with unanswered questions that only fueled their fear and despair — finally learned what happened to him.
—Sam Gillette, People.com, 13 June 2025
Verb
The cost of housing in America is so high that many Americans despair of ever owning a home.
—Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 2 May 2025
In a recent interview with the Korea Times Bae talked about the kind of societal expectations that might drive a young person to despair.
—Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for despair
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despair
Noun
-
The Oklahoma City Thunder had a chance to close out the series in Game 6 on Thursday night, but the Indiana Pacers came out with desperation in front of their home crowd and dominated for nearly the entire contest.—
Nick Crain,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
-
Perry strips the narrative down to raw moments of desperation, exploring what can happen when someone's pushed beyond their limits.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
10 June 2025
Noun
-
Six games into the 1981-82 season, Johnson expressed dismay over then-coach Paul Westhead, which paved the way for a 36-year-old Pat Riley to take over as head coach.—
James Jackson,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
-
Panthers players swarmed in the corner while the Oilers watched in dismay.—
Stephen Whyno,
Chicago Tribune,
18 June 2025
Verb
-
She’s encountered many grieving parents who lost their children to gunfire.—
Tribune News Service,
Twin Cities,
21 June 2025
-
Like the notion of never stepping into the same river twice, the protagonist in my own book, upon finally accepting that loving a river is an act of loving an ever-changing, never-graspable flow, is irrevocably changed by that painful experience and yet doesn’t have the staying power to grieve it.—
Siouxzi Connor
June 20,
Literary Hub,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
But Wednesday’s Supreme Court ruling on gender-affirming care for transgender youth was the kind of attention many advocates didn’t want and the capper to a month of discouragement.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
22 June 2025
-
Even minor dating setbacks may trigger self-doubt or discouragement.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
Verb
-
Too short and the flavors won't develop fully; too long and the texture can suffer.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
22 June 2025
-
Both the motorcyclist and the officer were transported to a hospital; the motorcyclist was suffering from critical injuries, but the extent of the officer’s injuries was unknown, according to Molina.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 June 2025
Verb
-
These lonely senior citizens arrive at a Los Angeles bungalow where Fish, newly discharged from an asylum, wrestles with an imagined demon and Poinsettia mourns a fantasy romance with composer Giacomo Puccini.—
Armond White,
National Review,
25 June 2025
-
The Ultimate Angus Philly went the way of the Dodo almost 15 years ago, and customers have been mourning the discontinuation of The Three Cheese Steak Sandwich for the better part of a decade.—
Meghan Overdeep,
Southern Living,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
Not the murder, not the arrival of the addicted sister, but the removal of the boy that has been at the core of so much sorrow and betrayal between the sisters.—
Antonia Blyth,
Deadline,
20 June 2025
-
That haunting blend of sorrow and defiance shaped us.—
Nazanin Boniadi,
Time,
17 June 2025
Verb
-
This would hurt even the most polished comedy or the most clockwork heist movie, let alone one that hopes to be both.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
26 June 2025
-
The statement, signed by groups including the Law Society of Kenya, Police Reforms Working Group and the Kenya Medical Association, said 83 of those hurt had serious injuries and at least eight protesters were treated for gunshot wounds.—
Larry Madowo,
CNN Money,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Despair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despair. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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