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despairing

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verb

present participle of despair

Synonym Chooser

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

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 despairing
Adjective
Authorities have reduced cadet training from one year to a few months, with families back home receiving despairing phone calls from recruits who regard being dispatched to the Congo as akin to a death sentence. Michela Wrong, NBC news, 6 June 2025 The arc of the subject’s life is evoked through steadily darkening, tightening mood, with certain scenes and setups replicated to variously despairing effect, from tacitly shifting points of view. Guy Lodge, Variety, 28 May 2025
Verb
These are the people who, despairing of finding their way out honestly, simply smash and bash their way through the corn willy-nilly. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2024 Meme-makers across America are despairing right now. Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for despairing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despairing
Adjective
  • All that’s left is some hopeless cringe, stunt guest stars and unfunny jokes.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
  • All that's left is some hopeless cringe, stunt guest stars and unfunny jokes.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Siff realized there was a market of willing workers desperate to find jobs without a tool to help them.
    Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Stack’s Lilly particularly stands out as a young girl still terrorized by the traumatic loss of her father, but desperate to save her friends from experiencing similar kinds of anguish.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Now, her parents are grieving the loss of their daughter.
    Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Created by Goldstein, Segel and Bill Lawrence, Shrinking centers on the life of Jimmy Liard (played by Segel), a grieving therapist who decides to give his clients his honest opinion instead of listening to their feelings and remaining removed from their lives.
    Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Their sister Cynthia has a somewhat more cynical attitude, and the priceless body language that goes with it.
    Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Some complain that the boisterous, anthemic version on the album belies the cynical point of view of a Vietnam veteran.
    Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Following Dombrowski’s comments and his belief that Harper is unhappy with his current contract situation, Sherman opened the door to a potential offseason trade that sends Harper elsewhere.
    Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
  • People who will be sent there include those who let their poor unhappy doggies bark endlessly, those who throw trash on the beach and those who hunt exotic animals for sport.
    Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • McLaurin missed each of Washington's last four games after suffering a quad injury in a Week 3 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, and Samuel was ruled out for Sunday's Week 7 loss to the Cowboys with a nagging heel injury.
    Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent oversaw a series of unorthodox steps aimed at stabilizing Argentine assets after the peso had plunged in the wake of Milei’s party suffering a stinging defeat in a key provincial ballot last month.
    Daniel Flatley, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • As Morgan and Sasha chat it up at Noah’s family’s Purim party, a sad-eyed Esther stands off to the side, quietly watching the interaction.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2025
  • The footage shows Deiseroth’s demeanor teetering between sad and angry.
    David Goodhue October 24, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Signs of mourning in felines are similar to those of humans, including spending more time alone, moving slowly, feeling depressed, and experiencing a decrease in appetite and playfulness.
    Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Not everyone is mourning the shift.
    Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Despairing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despairing. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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