1
as in desperation
utter loss of hope
the endless drought drove the farmers to despair
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dismay
the state of being discouraged
the other team's temporary lead caused some momentary despair
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to grieve
to lose all hope or confidence
we despaired when we saw how little time we had left to complete our project
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of despair
Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 July 2025
And coming home to far less than a hero's welcome drove the nail into the casket of despair and hopelessness.
—Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 24 July 2025
Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Any footballer who fails to complete their Premier League transfer before this summer’s deadline should not despair.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for despair
Noun
For Madison Thorne, 22, the depths of despair once felt inescapable.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 July 2025
And coming home to far less than a hero's welcome drove the nail into the casket of despair and hopelessness.
—Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 24 July 2025
Verb
While those legendary spreads may be harder to come by these days, don't despair.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Any footballer who fails to complete their Premier League transfer before this summer’s deadline should not despair.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for despair
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despair
Noun
-
But the obvious calculation behind this move illustrated the desperation of so many anonymous black showbiz performers (such as those who were paid to promote the Kamala Harris campaign) who eagerly demonstrate an unshakeable loyalty to the post-FDR legacy of Democratic Party devotion.—
Armond White,
National Review,
25 July 2025
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Advertisement Still, that so many Democrats spent the weekend obsessing over a relatively unknown figure in Austin, who represents about 200,000 people in a deep-blue district, shows the extent of their desperation.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
21 July 2025
Noun
-
For a quick recap, this is the world a team of scientists recently suggested could host life — to the dismay of other scientists in the community, who felt the announcement failed to include necessary caution.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
31 July 2025
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The shop was nearly empty, to the dismay of the owner, Roxana Gaeta, who grew up nearby and bought the place a decade ago from the family that opened it.—
Hannah Goldfield,
New Yorker,
28 July 2025
Verb
-
Building the Band producers and Payne’s grieving family were weighing Payne’s inclusion, and ultimately decided to move forward with the former One Direction member remaining in the show made by Remarkable Entertainment (part of Banijay U.K.).—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
29 July 2025
-
In early May, as the victim met with the pastor to grieve the loss of her brother, Jay touched her over her clothes, documents say.—
Richard Ruelas,
AZCentral.com,
28 July 2025
Noun
-
This is because there’s a lot of woolly thinking out there, combined with apathy, distrust and discouragement.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
23 June 2025
-
Be assured the world will bring more than enough discouragement, rejection, and pain into your child’s life.—
Chris John Amorosino,
Hartford Courant,
4 June 2025
Verb
-
Ariel Atkins is no closer to returning after suffering a leg injury shortly before the All-Star break.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
28 July 2025
-
Most recently, the sixth flight of the Alpha rocket in April suffered a failure a few minutes after liftoff, when a mishap during stage separation damaged the rocket's second stage.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
28 July 2025
Verb
-
Iglesias recently mourned the loss of his two beloved Chihuahuas, Vinnie and Risa.—
Kelli Bender,
People.com,
30 July 2025
-
Bristol also offered its Peer Support Team along with its support K9 Molly to firefighters in Plainville mourning Moreau.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
29 July 2025
Noun
-
The world moves forward, but I'm suspended in a place of sorrow and rage.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 July 2025
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But the two consciously dug themselves out of sorrow and misery and eventually were able to establish a foundation in Ethan's name, Ethan's Smile, which has given scholarships to more than 80 students.—
Liz Kreutz,
NBC news,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
So which players helped their cause and who hurt it?—
Colton Pouncy,
New York Times,
1 Aug. 2025
-
Of all the clubs, the changes hurt Frisco Ice Hockey Association the most.—
Kenny Jacoby,
USA Today,
1 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Despair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despair. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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