HOPELESS Synonyms: 254 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'hopeless' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of hopeless are despairing , desperate , and despondent . While all these words mean "having lost all or nearly all hope," hopeless suggests despair and the cessation of effort or resistance and often implies acceptance or resignation. // the situation of the trapped miners is hopeless

Q: When is 'despairing' a more appropriate choice than 'hopeless'?

The meanings of despairing and hopeless largely overlap; however, despairing suggests the slipping away of all hope and often despondency. // despairing appeals for the return of the kidnapped child

Q: In what contexts can 'desperate' take the place of 'hopeless'?

While the synonyms desperate and hopeless are close in meaning, 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

Q: When can 'despondent' be used instead of 'hopeless'?

While in some cases nearly identical to hopeless , despondent implies a deep dejection arising from a conviction of the uselessness of further effort. // despondent about yet another rejection

hopeless

adjective

ˈhō-pləs

Definition of hopeless next

as in incurable

not capable of being cured or reformed a hopeless optimist who looked for the good in everyone and everything was a hopeless romantic who never stopped looking for a soul mate

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in cynical

emphasizing or expecting the worst the poor woman was feeling hopeless about ever finding her lost cat

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in impossible

incapable of being solved or accomplished keeping this desk organized is hopeless

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in desperate

feeling or showing no hope the hopeless look on the faces of the fans as the other team scored again

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective hopeless differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of hopeless are despairing, desperate, and despondent. While all these words mean "having lost all or nearly all hope," hopeless suggests despair and the cessation of effort or resistance and often implies acceptance or resignation.

the situation of the trapped miners is hopeless

When is despairing a more appropriate choice than hopeless?

The meanings of despairing and hopeless largely overlap; however, despairing suggests the slipping away of all hope and often despondency.

despairing appeals for the return of the kidnapped child

In what contexts can desperate take the place of hopeless?

While the synonyms desperate and hopeless are close in meaning, 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

When can despondent be used instead of hopeless?

While in some cases nearly identical to hopeless, despondent implies a deep dejection arising from a conviction of the uselessness of further effort.

despondent about yet another rejection

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of hopeless Her hopeless focus on Josh isn’t codependence, but programming. —

Alison Willmore, Vulture, 22 Jan. 2025 Just as the doctor who is no longer compassionate or caring towards his patients should no longer be a doctor—maybe the hopeless, helpless, resigned, and, worst of all, silent, healthcare leader who no longer feels change is his or her responsibility and personal mandate should step away. —

Sachin H. Jain, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025 Go Down Together: The True, Untold Story of Bonnie and Clyde By Jeff Guinn The Half Life of Valery K, by Natasha Pulley From its first pages, The Half Life of Valery K gets to the core of what humans facing a seemingly hopeless situation must do to carry on. —

Vanessa Armstrong, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2025 Similarly, Eden wondered if finishing a half-Ironman just months after giving birth was hopeless. —

Matt Fuchs, TIME, 2 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for hopeless

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopeless

Adjective

Now shortlisted for the 2025 Academy Awards, Benjamin Ree’s documentary tells the story of Mats Steen, a young Norwegian who died at 25 from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, an inherited and incurable degenerative neuromuscular disorder.

— Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Jan. 2025
Called stage 4 breast cancer, this disease is incurable.

— Jennifer Welsh Published, Verywell Health, 30 Jan. 2025