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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of despair
Maureen MacKey, Fox News, 9 Mar. 2025
Instead of economic despair, there is business ownership and investment.
—John Hope Bryant, TIME, 5 Mar. 2025
Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
Prune Damage Even with our best efforts, plants can sometimes sustain salt damage and start to brown, but don’t despair.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for despair
Noun
Because Jesus overcame the grave, we are set free from shame and despair.
—Maureen MacKey, Fox News, 9 Mar. 2025
Instead of economic despair, there is business ownership and investment.
—John Hope Bryant, TIME, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
British officials know this and sometimes despair that their country has not found a way to be more hardheaded.
—Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
Prune Damage Even with our best efforts, plants can sometimes sustain salt damage and start to brown, but don’t despair.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for despair
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despair
Noun
-
Their primary motivation for entering tentative talks over Gomez was desperation, due to their need to comply with the Premier League’s PSR by June 30.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
-
The White House has responded with a series of stunts — a live presidential endorsement on the South Lawn, the commerce secretary shilling for Tesla stock on Fox News, the FBI threatening vandals with terrorism charges — that all smack of desperation.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Recently, Interpreter mode for live translations and Family Bell announcements for setting personalized reminders were both discontinued to the dismay of many frequent users.—
Paul Monckton,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
-
Nevertheless, Kennedy has touted the vitamin and falsely claimed that good nutrition protects against the virus, much to the dismay of pediatricians.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
These were unimaginable choices for grieving parents to make in such a short time.—
Danielle J. Brown,
Baltimore Sun,
31 Mar. 2025
-
That’s the message this grieving man brought to the world figure skating stage.—
Steve Buckley,
New York Times,
27 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
-
Before the awards show, Michael had been warned about the fireworks that would occur during sets by Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert because Michael suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
-
Arriving officers found the victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
30 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Martínez’s official Facebook page confirmed his death and mourned the loss of the musician.—
Fidel Martinez,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Mar. 2025
-
All of us mourn the loss of a huge heart & soul larger even than his astonishing creative legacy.—
Liza Esquibias,
People.com,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The book, which spans the twenty-odd years of Mii’s life, describes the daily joys and intimacies of having a pet, the difficulties that come with an aging cat, and the sorrows of outliving one’s animal companion.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2025
-
Tomorrow is the day this profound sorrow renews my motivation.—
Bluesky Social,
Bluesky Social,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
For me, nothing hurts worse than missing a dose at the start of a rainy period.—
Elizabeth Medeiros,
Health,
22 Mar. 2025
-
An omission, among other allegations, that Cook claimed hurt her reputation as an advocate for women.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Despair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despair. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.
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