hopeless

adjective

hope·​less ˈhō-pləs How to pronounce hopeless (audio)
Synonyms of hopeless
1
a
: having no expectation of good or success : despairing
felt hopeless and alone
b
: not susceptible to remedy or cure
doctors say his condition is hopeless
c
: incapable of redemption or improvement
She's a hopeless romantic.
the most hopeless group of golfers you've ever seen
2
a
: giving no reason to expect good or success : giving no ground for hope : desperate
The situation looked hopeless.
b
: incapable of solution, management, or accomplishment : impossible
a hopeless task
hopelessness noun

Synonyms of hopeless

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despondent, despairing, desperate, hopeless mean having lost all or nearly all hope.

despondent implies a deep dejection arising from a conviction of the uselessness of further effort.

despondent about yet another rejection

despairing suggests the slipping away of all hope and often despondency.

despairing appeals for the return of the kidnapped child

desperate implies despair that prompts reckless action or violence in the face of defeat or frustration.

one last desperate attempt to turn the tide of battle

hopeless suggests despair and the cessation of effort or resistance and often implies acceptance or resignation.

the situation of the trapped miners is hopeless

Examples of hopeless in a Sentence

He felt confused and hopeless after losing his job. We were the most hopeless group of golfers you ever saw. He's very ill, but his condition isn't hopeless.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The Cavs, like every Cleveland team, were hopeless, moribund. — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 24 July 2026 Johnston made his breakout performance as the toxically hopeless romantic Bear in Curry Barker’s Obsession, which has become Focus Features’ highest grossing title ever, surpassing $300M globally last month. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 23 July 2026 As the years speed forward, a new round of violence will force these characters into a final confrontation with the challenge of building a hopeless future together. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 22 July 2026 As for the perception that his team were absolutely hopeless in defence, that’s another one that gathered legs without any substance. — Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for hopeless

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of hopeless was in 1534

Browse Nearby Words

hopeite
hopeless
hopelessly
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Cite this Entry

“Hopeless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hopeless. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

hopeless

adjective
hope·​less ˈhō-pləs How to pronounce hopeless (audio)
1
a
: having no expectation of good or success
b
: incurable
2
a
: giving no reason for hope : desperate
a hopeless situation
b
: incapable of solution or accomplishment : impossible
a hopeless task
hopelessly adverb
hopelessness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on hopeless

Nglish: Translation of hopeless for Spanish Speakers

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