as in grieves
to lose all hope or confidence
we despaired when we saw how little time we had left to complete our project
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 despairs
In Osamu Dazai’s The Setting Sun, Kazuko despairs of the pain that her brother Naoji’s drug addiction and degenerate behavior have caused the family.
—
Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
As someone who regularly despairs over the choice between a sweet or savory breakfast meal, this was a godsend.
—Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 26 Feb. 2026
When Eva suddenly disappears without a trace, the priest despairs, leading him to commit a series of shocking and violent crimes.
—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 28 Aug. 2025
Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
As someone who regularly despairs over the choice between a sweet or savory breakfast meal, this was a godsend.
—Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 26 Feb. 2026
When Eva suddenly disappears without a trace, the priest despairs, leading him to commit a series of shocking and violent crimes.
—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despairs
Verb
-
The Professor, with only her ex-partner’s cat for company, sits in her decaying apartment and grieves the loss of her relationship and her struggle with infertility.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 May 2026
-
The film follows a woman who grieves the loss of her mother by secretly attending the funerals of strangers.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Community mourns teen who never returned home Celeste’s family has largely stayed out of public view since her body was discovered.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Community mourns loss of teen A vigil was held at the park Monday night to remember the teen who was a student at Eagle Academy, just down the street.—
Alexa Herrera,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Once your feet start hurting, everything else suffers.—
Chantelle Kincy,
Travel + Leisure,
10 May 2026
-
Operator suffers medical emergency The crane operator had a medical emergency while working at a site across from JPS Hospital and became stranded 220 feet above Fort Worth.—
Dawn White,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Despairs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despairs. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
