as in desperation
utter loss of hope
the fans' hopelessness was dispelled as their team mounted a comeback
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hopelessness
The 1986 film also included accounts by former conscripts who had been forced to participate in the Russian occupation of Afghanistan, making clear the hopelessness and brutality of the war, starkly contrasting with the Kremlin’s version of a war of progress and purpose.
—
Will Tizard, Variety, 2 Nov. 2025
In a world fraught with real-life villains, political upheaval and a collective sense of hopelessness, fantasy steps in to inspire people to carry on, and that rings especially true for LGBTQ+ teens.
—Brittany Johnson, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
Despite this potentially campy subtext, however, the film’s existential hopelessness leaves a bleak impression.
—Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
These could include feelings of overwhelming sadness (despondence), a sense that life will never get better (hopelessness) or actual thoughts of killing themselves.
—Dr. Theresa T. Nguyen, Boston Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
Like regular depression, SAD can cause negative feelings like hopelessness, worthlessness, irritability, and guilt; fatigue or reduced energy; a loss of interest in hobbies and activities; and even physical aches and pains (including headaches, cramps, and digestive problems).
—Maggie O'Neill, SELF, 20 Oct. 2025
Strangers became friends and friends became family in a crowd that has felt anger, despair and hopelessness before finally feeling some happiness.
—Kara Fox, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
And in a survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 40% of American teens reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in 2023, up from 30% in 2013.
—Krista Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 8 Oct. 2025
At New York Fashion Week, beauty acted as a moment of reprise from the hopelessness many are feeling in the current state of the world.
—Essence, 19 Sep. 2025
Will Tizard, Variety, 2 Nov. 2025
In a world fraught with real-life villains, political upheaval and a collective sense of hopelessness, fantasy steps in to inspire people to carry on, and that rings especially true for LGBTQ+ teens.
—Brittany Johnson, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
Despite this potentially campy subtext, however, the film’s existential hopelessness leaves a bleak impression.
—Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
These could include feelings of overwhelming sadness (despondence), a sense that life will never get better (hopelessness) or actual thoughts of killing themselves.
—Dr. Theresa T. Nguyen, Boston Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
Like regular depression, SAD can cause negative feelings like hopelessness, worthlessness, irritability, and guilt; fatigue or reduced energy; a loss of interest in hobbies and activities; and even physical aches and pains (including headaches, cramps, and digestive problems).
—Maggie O'Neill, SELF, 20 Oct. 2025
Strangers became friends and friends became family in a crowd that has felt anger, despair and hopelessness before finally feeling some happiness.
—Kara Fox, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
And in a survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 40% of American teens reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in 2023, up from 30% in 2013.
—Krista Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 8 Oct. 2025
At New York Fashion Week, beauty acted as a moment of reprise from the hopelessness many are feeling in the current state of the world.
—Essence, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopelessness
Noun
-
India lost its review in desperation to get Wolvaardt dismissed, and then gambled with Verma’s gentle off-breakers.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Under this scenario, irregular migration continues, driven by desperation abroad and labor demand at home.—
Jonathan Portes,
Time,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The marvel of this verse is in its vulnerability in expressing sorrow, lost love and despair—under the seams runs the pain.—
Amber McBride,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The resulting social ills of crime, disease, and despair were blamed not on the systems that produced them, but on the people who bore their weight.—
Fahad Zuberi,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Followers and fans of Tika online expressed their sadness in the comment section.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
-
And in the last days of August, laughter and pot would waft over the scene, happiness laced with sadness.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hopelessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopelessness. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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