Thesaurus

despairing

Q: How does the adjective 'despairing' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of despairing are desperate , despondent , and hopeless . While all these words mean "having lost all or nearly all hope," despairing suggests the slipping away of all hope and often despondency. // despairing appeals for the return of the kidnapped child

Q: When is it sensible to use 'desperate' instead of 'despairing'?

While the synonyms desperate and despairing are close in meaning, desperate implies despair that prompts reckless action or violence in the face of defeat or frustration. // one last desperate attempt to turn the tide of battle

Q: When might 'despondent' be a better fit than 'despairing'?

While in some cases nearly identical to despairing , despondent implies a deep dejection arising from a conviction of the uselessness of further effort. // despondent about yet another rejection

Q: Where would 'hopeless' be a reasonable alternative to 'despairing'?

The synonyms hopeless and despairing are sometimes interchangeable, but hopeless suggests despair and the cessation of effort or resistance and often implies acceptance or resignation. // the situation of the trapped miners is hopeless

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Synonyms & Antonyms of despairing

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 emphasizing or expecting the worst

despairing predictions regarding the effects of global overpopulation

Synonyms for despairing

Words Related to despairing

grim

Near Antonyms for despairing

Antonyms for despairing

2 feeling or showing no hope

despairing applicants need to be reminded that most students are eventually accepted somewhere

Synonyms for despairing

Words Related to despairing

accepting,
resigned

Near Antonyms for despairing

Antonyms for despairing

hopeful,
optimistic

despairing

verb

present participle of despair

Synonyms & Antonyms of despairing (Entry 2 of 2)

to lose all hope or confidence

we despaired when we saw how little time we had left to complete our project

Synonyms for despairing

desponding

Words Related to despairing

Phrases Synonymous with despairing

losing heart

Near Antonyms for despairing

exulting,
rejoicing

hoping

Antonyms for despairing

Frequently Asked Questions About despairing

How does the adjective despairing differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of despairing are desperate, despondent, and hopeless. While all these words mean "having lost all or nearly all hope," despairing suggests the slipping away of all hope and often despondency.

despairing appeals for the return of the kidnapped child

When is it sensible to use desperate instead of despairing?

While the synonyms desperate and despairing are close in meaning, desperate implies despair that prompts reckless action or violence in the face of defeat or frustration.

one last desperate attempt to turn the tide of battle

When might despondent be a better fit than despairing?

While in some cases nearly identical to despairing, despondent implies a deep dejection arising from a conviction of the uselessness of further effort.

despondent about yet another rejection

Where would hopeless be a reasonable alternative to despairing?

The synonyms hopeless and despairing are sometimes interchangeable, but hopeless suggests despair and the cessation of effort or resistance and often implies acceptance or resignation.

the situation of the trapped miners is hopeless

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