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
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
17 June 2026
What happened last night was a double dip of despair.
—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 June 2026
Chicago Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
In her interview, Guthrie also despaired over the possibility that her fame could have made her mother a target for kidnappers, Page Six also reported.
—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for despair
Noun
Paula turns on a dime, expertly masks her horror, stress, and despair, and puts on a smile for her little girl.
—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
17 June 2026
What happened last night was a double dip of despair.
—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 June 2026
Verb
Millions more suffered, starved and despaired in the rubble that was once their homes, businesses and places of worship.
—
Chicago Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
In her interview, Guthrie also despaired over the possibility that her fame could have made her mother a target for kidnappers, Page Six also reported.
—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for despair
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despair
Noun
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Their desperation comes as the Venezuelan government faces mounting criticism over its response to the crisis.
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Last week’s desperation deal for David Peterson, a one-time All-Star with the New York Mets, was only the start of a necessary overhaul.
Noun
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Colonists down south, especially fierce New England Protestants who took a dim view of Catholicism, viewed this act – and their new fellow imperial subjects – with dismay and considerable suspicion.
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The decision to wean, much to the dismay of many, can come from either party.
Verb
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Ask for Help Early Handling all these administrative duties alone while grieving is a burden no one should have to carry.
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Ramsay, a mother of four, including Dylan, has become someone grieving families often call when their child dies in the water.
Noun
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Each room explores a different human emotion — joy and love, fear and hope, sadness and gratitude, anger and resilience.
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Working again with collaborators Adrian Utley (Portishead) and Shahzad Ismaily (Ceramic Dog) and joined by Nick Hakim and drummer Tom Skinner (the Smile), Orton uses The Ground Above to create weighty songs that deal with both joy and sadness.
Noun
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SpongeBob doesn’t stay stuck in discouragement or disappointment for long, but rather looks for something positive to focus on.
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Ray McMillian is a talented Black classical violinist who defies systemic racism and his family’s discouragement to achieve musical success.
Verb
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But Boise only managed to put three of those 15 shots on net to suffer its third home loss of the season.
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Car ownership rates are lower among poor citizens, and many neighborhoods suffer from a lack of infrastructure and planning for safe road designs.
Noun
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But where some might see hopelessness, Ortiz sees an opportunity for connection.
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And when young people feel disconnected or believe systems are unresponsive to their daily experiences, that disconnection can deepen isolation and hopelessness.
Verb
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Noticias Telemundo confirmed the deaths with Trejo’s soccer club, Club Sport Marítimo de La Guaira, which mourned the tragic loss of their player’s family.
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At two hundred and fifty, the job is not to mourn it.
Cite this Entry
“Despair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despair. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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