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
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
-
Butler missed a desperation 3-point attempt at the buzzer as the Wolves lost, 114-113.—
Zach Harper,
The Athletic,
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
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Intermezzo by Sally Rooney (Farrar, Straus & Giroux: $29) Two grieving brothers come to terms with their history.—
The California Independent Booksellers Alliance,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2025
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With a tone that recalls Quentin Tarantino, The English tells the tale of a grieving mother (Emily Blunt) and a member of the Pawnee Nation (Chaske Spencer) who are forced into an allyship to survive a brutal journey.—
Brian Tallerico,
Vulture,
18 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
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But the plant is now disconnected from the grid and has suffered some damage amid drone strikes and constant shelling.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN,
18 Mar. 2025
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Written and directed by Tina Landau, Redwood tells the story of Jesse, who after suffering a devastating trauma, escapes her high octane life in New York in search of some kind of salve.—
Jeryl Brunner,
Forbes,
18 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
-
In this moment of sorrow, my thoughts and those of the entire Formula 1 family are with his family and loved ones'.—
Dan Cancian,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
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McIlroy expressed his sorrow and predicted that the 15-time major champion will be unable to play for the rest of the season.—
Julio Cesar Valdera Morales,
Newsweek,
12 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
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Philly Anti-Capitalist also provides tips on using those devices without getting hurt and quickly enough to escape undetected, and directs would-be arsonists to another site for further details on protecting their anonymity.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
Fox News,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Despair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despair. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
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