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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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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
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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
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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
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Gone, too, is the Latin Mass revival, which, to the dismay of many Catholics around the world, Francis quashed via a motu proprio in 2021.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
28 Feb. 2025
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The raid at the Copa Club was greeted with dismay online.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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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
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What’s the right way to grieve when the act won’t forgive a crime?—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Without immediate results, frustration and discouragement creep up, prompting people to quit.—
Jane Hanson,
Forbes,
10 Jan. 2025
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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
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The animal, which was partially burnt, appeared to have suffered blunt force trauma as well.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
6 Mar. 2025
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Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Wednesday that the star shortstop suffered a mild intercostal strain in spring training, and his timetable to return is uncertain.—
Russel Honoré,
Newsweek,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
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On Sunday, Battle’s cousins mourned in a relative’s apartment about a half-mile away from the shooting scene.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
9 Mar. 2025
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In a statement posted to Instagram Thursday, Parton mourned Dean's death.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA TODAY,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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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
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But Magnani elevates Serafina into a lightning storm of rage, sorrow, and vengeance.—
EW Staff,
EW.com,
2 Mar. 2025
Verb
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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
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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.
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