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
As history tells us, when the most vicious wars inevitably come to an end, destruction, chaos and hopelessness are left in their wake.
—
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
Today that sense of hopelessness has been replaced by a sense of determination and a good deal more hope.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 6 Sep. 2025
Bigelow’s explosively entertaining real-time thriller, told from multiple perspectives at various levels of government from situation room deputies to POTUS (Idris Elba) himself, does not mince on hopelessness.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025
In the 2024 National College Health Assessment Report, 30% of the 30,000 students surveyed said anxiety negatively affected their academic performance, with 20% at risk for symptoms that suggest severe psychological distress, such as feelings of sadness, nervousness and hopelessness.
—Chanam Lee, The Conversation, 2 Sep. 2025
The persistent violent crime across the city, particularly in our most vulnerable neighborhoods, has left many residents living in fear and hopelessness.
—Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
Forty percent of high school students reported experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in 2023, according to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2025
Many immigration advocates said there is despair and hopelessness about how ICE will eventually touch individuals’ lives.
—Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 4 Aug. 2025
The hero is armed with one song bathed in countrified gospel and folk in his utility belt, aimed squarely at how despair and hopelessness have gripped many of the world's citizens.
—Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 2 May 2025
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
Today that sense of hopelessness has been replaced by a sense of determination and a good deal more hope.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 6 Sep. 2025
Bigelow’s explosively entertaining real-time thriller, told from multiple perspectives at various levels of government from situation room deputies to POTUS (Idris Elba) himself, does not mince on hopelessness.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025
In the 2024 National College Health Assessment Report, 30% of the 30,000 students surveyed said anxiety negatively affected their academic performance, with 20% at risk for symptoms that suggest severe psychological distress, such as feelings of sadness, nervousness and hopelessness.
—Chanam Lee, The Conversation, 2 Sep. 2025
The persistent violent crime across the city, particularly in our most vulnerable neighborhoods, has left many residents living in fear and hopelessness.
—Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
Forty percent of high school students reported experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in 2023, according to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2025
Many immigration advocates said there is despair and hopelessness about how ICE will eventually touch individuals’ lives.
—Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 4 Aug. 2025
The hero is armed with one song bathed in countrified gospel and folk in his utility belt, aimed squarely at how despair and hopelessness have gripped many of the world's citizens.
—Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 2 May 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopelessness
Noun
-
But before long his hearing begins to disappear, leading him down a panicked trail of denial, anger and desperation.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The Irish have scored four total touchdowns in the past two games against Elko, which included that desperation run by Audric Estime at Duke two years ago.—
Pete Sampson,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Much of the country was in despair then as the Great Recession rolled on.—
John Dorfman,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Columnist Nancy Armour knows all about Bears despair.—
Chris Bumbaca,
USA Today,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Frustration can push us to solve problems, sadness can deepen your appreciation for joy and worry can sometimes sharpen your focus.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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But sadness, anxiety, anger and frustration can be channeled into actions such as becoming involved in activism and volunteering to help the survivors and society at large.—
Arash Javanbakht,
The Conversation,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hopelessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopelessness. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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