as in desperation
utter loss of hope
the fans' hopelessness was dispelled as their team mounted a comeback
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Recent Examples of hopelessness
That essay, written in 1940 — the same year Native Son was published — is suffused with profound hopelessness for what was indeed to come.
—
Literary Hub, 9 June 2026
Like Makki, many grapple with guilt and hopelessness.
—CBS News, 4 June 2026
But despite the colorful surroundings, there’s a pervasive hopelessness in this off-kilter world that looks a lot like our own.
—ABC News, 20 May 2026
Advertisement For decades, the dominant story about Watts was one of pathology and hopelessness.
—Terry McDonell, Time, 21 Apr. 2026
The other featured a comeback that saw hopelessness turn into jubilation.
—Peter Warren, Houston Chronicle, 28 Mar. 2026
For her and many other Iranians who spoke to CNN – their surnames withheld to protect their identities – the past three weeks have been filled with a sense of hopelessness and fear.
—Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026
Depression and hopelessness are at their highest ever measured.
—Ariel David, Baltimore Sun, 16 Mar. 2026
Johnson said depression often manifests as persistent negative self-perception, hopelessness, feelings of worthlessness and social withdrawal.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 8 Mar. 2026
Literary Hub, 9 June 2026
Like Makki, many grapple with guilt and hopelessness.
—CBS News, 4 June 2026
But despite the colorful surroundings, there’s a pervasive hopelessness in this off-kilter world that looks a lot like our own.
—ABC News, 20 May 2026
Advertisement For decades, the dominant story about Watts was one of pathology and hopelessness.
—Terry McDonell, Time, 21 Apr. 2026
The other featured a comeback that saw hopelessness turn into jubilation.
—Peter Warren, Houston Chronicle, 28 Mar. 2026
For her and many other Iranians who spoke to CNN – their surnames withheld to protect their identities – the past three weeks have been filled with a sense of hopelessness and fear.
—Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026
Depression and hopelessness are at their highest ever measured.
—Ariel David, Baltimore Sun, 16 Mar. 2026
Johnson said depression often manifests as persistent negative self-perception, hopelessness, feelings of worthlessness and social withdrawal.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 8 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopelessness
Noun
-
Vegas pulled Carter Hart with about three minutes to go, officially entering desperation mode, but nothing worked, and Nikolaj Ehlers scored an empty-netter to start the party.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
15 June 2026
-
Much of what looks like desperation is closer to opportunity and overlap.—
John Drake,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
Paula turns on a dime, expertly masks her horror, stress, and despair, and puts on a smile for her little girl.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
17 June 2026
-
What happened last night was a double dip of despair.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
His profound sadness and rage give the audience permission to feel similarly.—
Ronda Racha Penrice,
HollywoodReporter,
15 June 2026
-
The Spurs accrued a 10-point lead at that point, blitzing the Knicks with the type of pressure expected from a team that was a loss away from an offseason filled with sadness.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hopelessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopelessness. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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