1
as in incurable
not capable of being cured or reformed
a hopeless optimist who looked for the good in everyone and everything was a hopeless romantic who never stopped looking for a soulmate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cynical
emphasizing or expecting the worst
the poor woman was feeling hopeless about ever finding her lost cat
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in impossible
incapable of being solved or accomplished
keeping this desk organized is hopeless
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in desperate
feeling or showing no hope
the hopeless look on the faces of the fans as the other team scored again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in desperation
utter loss of hope
the fans' hopelessness was dispelled as their team mounted a comeback
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Andrew R. Chow, Time, 6 June 2025
Those who are convinced they’re trapped stay helpless and hopeless.
—Amy Morin, CNBC, 12 June 2025
In a world where the powerful increasingly act with impunity, taking fictional villains to task makes sense, a form of Hollywood wish fulfillment for those who feel stuck or hopeless.
—Whitney Friedlander, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2025
Most people’s writing or public speaking is pointless, endless, and hopeless.
—Eli Amdur, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hopeless
Adjective
This memoir-manifesto could be seen as hopeless, and there is certainly no shortage of carnage in its pages.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 6 June 2025
Those who are convinced they’re trapped stay helpless and hopeless.
—Amy Morin, CNBC, 12 June 2025
In a world where the powerful increasingly act with impunity, taking fictional villains to task makes sense, a form of Hollywood wish fulfillment for those who feel stuck or hopeless.
—Whitney Friedlander, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2025
Most people’s writing or public speaking is pointless, endless, and hopeless.
—Eli Amdur, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hopeless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopeless
Adjective
-
Finally, after more than a month of agony, her allergist diagnosed her with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) — an incurable condition marked by hives that last six weeks or longer, with no definitive cause or trigger.—
Diane Herbst,
People.com,
11 July 2025
-
Due to the contagious nature of the incurable disease, when it's detected, standard practice is to humanely kill all affected and exposed poultry.—
Elizabeth B. Kim,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
Created by cartoonist Jim Davis, the Garfield comic strip debuted in June 1978 and follows the cynical and lazy orange cat and his interactions with his owner, Jon Arbuckle, and fellow pet Odie, the lovable dog.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
8 July 2025
-
The cynical view would be that Trump is looking for a reason to have federal troops join ICE in rounding up undocumented immigrants that Mamdani tries to protect, and to arrest local officials who get in their way.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
Nowadays, both men and women are serving faster than ever before, with players regularly reaching service speeds that were once thought to be nearly impossible.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
8 July 2025
-
No sign yet of the Qualcomm fixes from last month which triggered a U.S. government update mandate for federal staff, with a deadline that was impossible to hit.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
Since federal immigration raids, primarily targeting Latino communities, began roiling Los Angeles in early June, animal rescues and care providers across the county are hearing desperate pleas for help.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 July 2025
-
Over the past few days, Sheppard has become a teacher and leader for a collection of players desperate to crack the end of a tight Rockets rotation.—
Kelly Iko,
New York Times,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
As Gaza’s money supply dwindled and civilians’ desperation mounted, cash brokers’ commissions — around 5% at the start of the war — skyrocketed.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Fortune,
11 July 2025
-
These accumulating pressures led Hollywood to a moment of existential desperation—which had unfortunate consequences for female actors.—
Mayukh Sen,
The Atlantic,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
People are despairing over the Supreme Court and its deference to the president.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 July 2025
-
Alcaraz swung slice serves past a despairing Lehečka’s forehand, while the Czech’s deliveries leapt up off the grass, contorting Alcaraz into uncomfortable return positions.—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
Adjective
-
That's the sad reality facing many dogs in the wider shelter system.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 July 2025
-
Know that all feelings are OK Some kids might be very sad or might be scared, and some kids might not have thought about this at all.—
Nicole Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
This is the despair of wrestlers: unredeemed perspiration, useless bruises.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
6 July 2025
-
For the most part, professors were, yes, in despair.—
Sean Illing,
Vox,
5 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hopeless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopeless. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share