Definition of hopelessnext
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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective hopeless differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of hopeless are despairing, desperate, and despondent. While all these words mean "having lost all or nearly all hope," hopeless suggests despair and the cessation of effort or resistance and often implies acceptance or resignation.

the situation of the trapped miners is hopeless

When is despairing a more appropriate choice than hopeless?

The meanings of despairing and hopeless largely overlap; however, despairing suggests the slipping away of all hope and often despondency.

despairing appeals for the return of the kidnapped child

In what contexts can desperate take the place of hopeless?

While the synonyms desperate and hopeless 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 can despondent be used instead of hopeless?

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

despondent about yet another rejection

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 hopeless Some may feel the problem is hopeless, but on Saturday, one man was undertaking an arduous journey to bring attention to the problem. John Ramos, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2026 Despite the divine assistance of stimulants and hallucinogens, looking for paradise in the middle of a desert party is a hopeless path. Álex Maroño Porto, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2026 Beyond this seemingly hopeless trip to Merseyside though, their next four matches come against fellow bottom-half sides, including a huge crunch home date with Forest next Sunday. Mark Carey, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026 In a legal career that spanned more than four decades, Rosenbaum took on some of South Florida’s toughest, most hopeless cases. Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hopeless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopeless
Adjective
  • Arcellx is developing a new class of immunotherapies for patients with cancer and other incurable diseases.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2026
  • Arcellx focuses on immunotherapies for patients with cancer and others with incurable diseases.
    Scott Schnipper, CNBC, 23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Ursula has a big-picture understanding of the way the world works that’s cynical if not entirely inaccurate.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Movies grew darker, more cynical, more reflective of national anxiety—not necessarily because oil prices demanded it, but because the mood of a country grappling with Vietnam and political upheaval did.
    Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • For the uninitiated, Horses was one of those buzzy, impossible-to-get-into, celebrity-magnet restaurants in LA.
    Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Mar. 2026
  • The results show that reproduction could pose a real challenge for future space settlers, but it still can’t be ruled out as impossible.
    Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • As the siege escalates, loyalties are tested and selfless sacrifices are made, leading to a desperate fight for survival where not everyone will emerge alive.
    Selome Hailu, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Starlight is mounting a desperate resistance, but The Boys are scattered.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Premiering the first of eight episodes on Sunday, March 22, The Comeback’s shaggy, despairing, hilarious, and sometimes baldly sentimental third season spends its first two episodes running through all the horsemen of the Hollywood-pocalypse.
    Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
  • But none of them have felt as bleak or despairing as Israeli director Anat Even’s scathing cinematic essay, Collapse (Effondrement).
    Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • One of the saddest bits of it, actually!
    Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Sister Jean would pass away at age 106 this past October, a sad metaphor for the fate of Cinderella.
    Greg Cote Updated March 23, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Washington — Americans are growing more pessimistic about the US economy as the war on Iran continues to roil markets, with sentiment falling across all income groups — including the wealthiest.
    Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Faced with yet another national crisis, many in Lebanon are pessimistic.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • But there are so many other parts of Nigeria, unhappy in their union, who would also want that privilege.
    Obi Anyadike, semafor.com, 23 Mar. 2026
  • The matter then came before the Board of Supervisors, which was caught between a sea of unhappy constituents and the possibility of a costly legal battle if the plan was not approved.
    Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 23 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Hopeless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopeless. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.

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