1
as in desperation
utter loss of hope
the endless drought drove the farmers to despair
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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 despair
Brad Wolf, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Khalili continues to hide with her husband and child in Islamabad, and her despair continues to mount.
—Sophia Saifi, CNN, 6 Feb. 2025
Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 15 Jan. 2025
And when you’re finished, don’t despair—hop on Slime Rancher 2: Into the Labyrinth for more.
—Sarah Felbin, SELF, 31 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for despair
Noun
The result: Millions of people fleeing their homelands because of gang violence and economic despair.
—Brad Wolf, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Khalili continues to hide with her husband and child in Islamabad, and her despair continues to mount.
—Sophia Saifi, CNN, 6 Feb. 2025
Verb
And don’t despair if your historic home has a telephone nook.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 15 Jan. 2025
And when you’re finished, don’t despair—hop on Slime Rancher 2: Into the Labyrinth for more.
—Sarah Felbin, SELF, 31 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for despair
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despair
Noun
-
With the Heat entering Saturday in seventh place in the Eastern Conference and four games behind the sixth-place Detroit Pistons for the East’s final playoff spot that doesn’t require having to go through play-in, the standings have helped create that level of desperation.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
2 Mar. 2025
-
When guests arrive in town with a plan that will uproot Junie’s life, her act of desperation wakes Minnie’s spirit from the grave, also unveiling horrifying secrets about Bellereine.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA TODAY,
1 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Townsend was adjudged to have fouled Richie Saunders, to the dismay of the vocal home crowd.—
Ben Morse,
CNN,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Much to the dismay of proud Gen X viewers, many do.—
Mara Reinstein,
The Hollywood Reporter,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
What’s the right way to grieve when the act won’t forgive a crime?—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2025
-
Amid the busy work of grief, the young women have no real time to grieve for themselves.—
Justin Chang,
The New Yorker,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Without immediate results, frustration and discouragement creep up, prompting people to quit.—
Jane Hanson,
Forbes,
10 Jan. 2025
-
Super Group believed its global Betway brand and marketing deals with 10 NBA and NHL franchises and on Ted Lasso would draw in Americans, but found high taxes a discouragement in some markets and marketing spending too fierce in others.—
Brendan Coffey,
Sportico.com,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Even though the South stands out, the entire United States suffers from high rates of pregnancy and postpartum complications, said Natalie Davis, CEO of United States of Care.—
Elizabeth Cohen,
NBC News,
6 Mar. 2025
-
If the economy suffers a downturn, dividends might fall and payment times might lengthen, but there would be fewer foreclosures.—
Roger Valdez,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The National Black Justice Coalition released a statement mourning Broom’s death, as well as the death of Sam Nordquist, a Black trans man who was found dead in New York and who officials believe was tortured for weeks before being killed.—
Mathew Rodriguez,
Them,
25 Feb. 2025
-
Dwayne Johnson is mourning the loss of his pet pooch.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
People.com,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Now his parents have photos of Sammy on the North Carolina campus during a visit, a condolence letter from the university and deep sorrow for a life cut short.—
Michael Cuglietta,
Orlando Sentinel,
6 Mar. 2025
-
But Magnani elevates Serafina into a lightning storm of rage, sorrow, and vengeance.—
EW Staff,
EW.com,
2 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The matches are now much more likely to reverse course if one team is pulling ahead — that certainly can’t hurt.—
Gabby Herzig,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Speaking of credit scores, contrary to popular opinion, having multiple credit cards won’t hurt you.—
Aislyn Greene,
AFAR Media,
26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Despair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despair. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share