1
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 soulmate
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cynical
emphasizing or expecting the worst
the poor woman was feeling hopeless about ever finding her lost cat
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in impossible
incapable of being solved or accomplished
keeping this desk organized is hopeless
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4
as in desperate
feeling or showing no hope
the hopeless look on the faces of the fans as the other team scored again
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hopeless
Some may feel the problem is hopeless, but on Saturday, one man was undertaking an arduous journey to bring attention to the problem.
—
John Ramos, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2026
Despite the divine assistance of stimulants and hallucinogens, looking for paradise in the middle of a desert party is a hopeless path.
—Álex Maroño Porto, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2026
Beyond this seemingly hopeless trip to Merseyside though, their next four matches come against fellow bottom-half sides, including a huge crunch home date with Forest next Sunday.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
In a legal career that spanned more than four decades, Rosenbaum took on some of South Florida’s toughest, most hopeless cases.
—Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hopeless
John Ramos, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2026
Despite the divine assistance of stimulants and hallucinogens, looking for paradise in the middle of a desert party is a hopeless path.
—Álex Maroño Porto, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2026
Beyond this seemingly hopeless trip to Merseyside though, their next four matches come against fellow bottom-half sides, including a huge crunch home date with Forest next Sunday.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
In a legal career that spanned more than four decades, Rosenbaum took on some of South Florida’s toughest, most hopeless cases.
—Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hopeless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopeless
Adjective
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These will be Dion’s inaugural performances since being diagnosed with stiff person syndrome—a rare, incurable neurological disorder that causes spasms and other physical difficulties—in 2022.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
30 Mar. 2026
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The body approved Castillo’s request based on assessments that evaluated her condition as serious and incurable, and that the 25-year-old had severe, chronic and debilitating suffering.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Unfortunately, they have been taught to evaluate online communications with that cynical approach.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Mar. 2026
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There's far more acceptance for shows trying to be different than ever before, whether the programme is cynical or hopeful in nature.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
For the uninitiated, Horses was one of those buzzy, impossible-to-get-into, celebrity-magnet restaurants in LA.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
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The results show that reproduction could pose a real challenge for future space settlers, but it still can’t be ruled out as impossible.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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As the siege escalates, loyalties are tested and selfless sacrifices are made, leading to a desperate fight for survival where not everyone will emerge alive.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2026
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Starlight is mounting a desperate resistance, but The Boys are scattered.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Premiering the first of eight episodes on Sunday, March 22, The Comeback’s shaggy, despairing, hilarious, and sometimes baldly sentimental third season spends its first two episodes running through all the horsemen of the Hollywood-pocalypse.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
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But none of them have felt as bleak or despairing as Israeli director Anat Even’s scathing cinematic essay, Collapse (Effondrement).—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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One of the saddest bits of it, actually!—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2026
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Sister Jean would pass away at age 106 this past October, a sad metaphor for the fate of Cinderella.—
Greg Cote
Updated March 23,
Miami Herald,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Washington — Americans are growing more pessimistic about the US economy as the war on Iran continues to roil markets, with sentiment falling across all income groups — including the wealthiest.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
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Faced with yet another national crisis, many in Lebanon are pessimistic.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The 28-year-old receiver is reportedly unhappy with his situation in Philadelphia, despite winning a Super Bowl a little over a year ago.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
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But there may be an answer, or at least a compromise that will satisfy those unhappy with the idea of destroying a usable building.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hopeless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopeless. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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