despairing

adjective

de·​spair·​ing di-ˈsper-iŋ 

: given to, arising from, or marked by despair : devoid of hope

despairingly

di-ˈsper-iŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• bearish
• defeatist
• downbeat
• hopeless
• pessimistic

Choose the Right Synonym for despairing

despondent, despairing, desperate, hopeless mean having lost all or nearly all hope.

despondent implies a deep dejection arising from a conviction of the uselessness of further effort.

despondent about yet another rejection

despairing suggests the slipping away of all hope and often despondency.

despairing appeals for the return of the kidnapped child

desperate implies despair that prompts reckless action or violence in the face of defeat or frustration.

one last desperate attempt to turn the tide of battle

hopeless suggests despair and the cessation of effort or resistance and often implies acceptance or resignation.

the situation of the trapped miners is hopeless

Examples of despairing in a Sentence

despairing predictions regarding the effects of global overpopulation

despairing applicants need to be reminded that most students are eventually accepted somewhere

Recent Examples on the Web

On the Calculation of Volume is a book of hours in its most literal sense, a diary in which Tara tallies each of her November 18ths and her attempts, both hopeful and despairing, to break free from the cycle she is trapped within. —Rhian Sasseen, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2024

In one number, Swinton, who goes glossy-eyed to show the cracks in her high-fashion veneer, poses in a transparent rain slicker while bleating raw, yowling noises that blend with the despairing strings. —Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024

The optimist finds hope in the most despairing situation. —Chadd Scott, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024

Though full of wild humor, the movie does build to something deeper: a despairing portrait of our political leaders’ inability to deal with the world’s existential crises. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of despair entry 2

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

despairing

adjective

de·​spair·​ing

di-ˈspa(ə)r-iŋ,

-ˈspe(ə)r-

: given to, coming from, or marked by despair : not having hope

despairingly

-iŋ-lē 

adverb