Synonyms of hopelessness

hopelessness

noun

as in desperation

utter loss of hope

the fans' hopelessness was dispelled as their team mounted a comeback

Synonyms & Similar Words

• desperation
• despair
• sadness
• sorrow
• depression
• melancholy
• despondency
• despondence
• forlornness
• misery
• oppression
• agony
• slough of despond
• pain
• unhappiness
• sorrowfulness
• resignation
• despond
• gloom
• dejection
• distress
• gloominess
• joylessness
• mournfulness
• acceptance
• dreariness
• self-pity
• blues
• pessimism
• dumps
• cynicism
• desolation
• blue devils
• wretchedness
• dolor
• downheartedness
• self-despair
• mopes
• doldrums
• woe
• disconsolateness
• dispiritedness
• woefulness
• dolefulness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hopefulness
• hope
• optimism
• cheerfulness
• cheer
• joy
• glee
• mirth
• happiness
• sunniness
• elation
• gaiety
• merriment
• euphoria
• ecstasy
• lightheartedness
• joviality
• exultation
• jollity
• exuberance
• exhilaration
• jubilation
• bliss
• rapture
• joyousness
• joyfulness
• gladness
• gleefulness
• mirthfulness
• blissfulness
• elatedness
• rapturousness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of hopelessness

In that sense, the dead-end setting of their journey across a volatile landscape in which humans might be an afterthought seems to reflect their hopelessness. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026

What could that dirt road and the horizon beyond it mean—hope or hopelessness? — Hilton Als, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

According to 2025 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a third of youth have persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness — about 10% more than a decade earlier. — Darius Tahir, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

Corruption across the political divide Much of this year’s fatigue traces back to a sense of hopelessness over systemic corruption, which ranks among voters’ biggest concerns, yet neither camp can claim the issue as its own, say experts. — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026

Women are more likely than men to report severe depression and hopelessness following breakups, but men are three to four times more likely to commit suicide. — George Loewenstein, Vogue, 28 Sep. 2026

In interviews with The Post, current and former detainees described frequent fights and feelings of hopelessness. — Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 27 Sep. 2026

This year's report finds that levels of persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness among high schoolers have fallen in recent years – from 42% in 2021, to 40% in 2023 and 33% in 2025. — Rhitu Chatterjee, NPR, 23 Sep. 2026

Understanding the scope of human suffering and hopelessness in our world stirs a strong internal conflict between empathy and pragmatism. — Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 23 Sep. 2026