Definition of hopelessnext
1
2
3
4

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 Hence the constant reports that young people are anxious, lonely, stressed, hopeless. Judy Berman, Time, 27 May 2026 On May 18, Venus will conclude its journey through the flirtatious and thought-provoking sign of Gemini and enter the sentimental and hopeless romantic sign of Cancer. Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026 That reality makes the climb for promising teams like the Magic feel almost hopeless. Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 2026 In a moment that ranks as one of the most hopeless and desperate in the long and mostly hopeless and desperate history of the franchise, Vancouver has seemingly settled on a trio of internal promotions. Thomas Drance, New York Times, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for hopeless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopeless
Adjective
  • Chronic pulmonary fibrosis is an incurable lung condition where scarring of the lung tissue complicates breathing, per People.
    Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 5 June 2026
  • Just two days later, an MRI scan showed that the keen gymnast and netball player had an inoperable and incurable DIPG.
    Adam England, PEOPLE, 25 May 2026
Adjective
  • This is cynical political theater.
    Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
  • The overpowering moral authority of wronged women, #MeToo’s skeptics alleged, would allow cynical wrongdoers to weaponize claims of victimhood for their own gain.
    Moira Donegan, New Yorker, 9 June 2026
Adjective
  • But in practice, solving that equation directly and exactly for a system with as many interacting electrons as FeMo-co has is often impossible.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 29 May 2026
  • How long the recovery will take is impossible to know.
    Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 29 May 2026
Adjective
  • The German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, desperate to connect with the grandeur of antiquity and left bitterly disappointed by his visit to Rome, eventually arrived in this once-vibrant center of the extended Greek empire.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
  • The team boarded the bus in Cleveland after a 117-95 blowout by the Cavaliers in dead silence, an icy pall setting in among teammates desperate not to let losing become comfortable.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026
Adjective
  • But the award has to go to Matheus Cunha’s long-range dagger — a dramatic late winner curled past Gabriel’s desperate lunge and David Raya’s despairing dive into the bottom corner — to set the away crowd into rapturous applause.
    Carl Anka, New York Times, 26 May 2026
  • Still, Ohm is more despairing and miserable than any of the wretched worms Scott has acted to date.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The sad thing for me is that, as a young actor, there was a platform for small independent films that were interesting.
    Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 11 June 2026
  • Someone said an ending can be both happy and sad at the same time, which is surely correct.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 June 2026
Adjective
  • The share of employers with a pessimistic view of the job market for new grads has been rising every year since 2022.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 29 May 2026
  • Eighty-one percent of Gen Z believes AI will reduce job opportunities, according to a recent Quinnipiac poll — more pessimistic than any other generation.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 29 May 2026
Adjective
  • Carting around unhappy campers in 100-degree weather and squeezing work into a shorter window is not exactly being poolside with a marg.
    Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 4 June 2026
  • Mansfield city hall a point of contention Melissa Perez, who ultimately lost to Simmons in last year’s council race, is one of those unhappy with Mansfield’s leadership and its direction.
    Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hopeless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopeless. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on hopeless

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster