1
as in desperation
utter loss of hope
the endless drought drove the farmers to despair
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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 despair
Tim Grierson, Rolling Stone, 6 Jan. 2026
Economic despair has turned the people against the government.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
Anyone who ever despaired about their outstanding mortgage remaining virtually static despite months of repayments will relate.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for despair
Noun
And even amid his film’s despair, there was also dark humor, his characters’ profound suffering wryly relatable to all of us watching them in the theater.
—Verb
The news of her 23-year-old son’s execution shocked and despaired the world.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for despair
Noun
-
In desperation, Ben calls their older sister Hannah (Alexandra Daddario), despite scant contact since she got thrown out of the family home years prior.—
-
Two goals down with 30 minutes left, Charlotte pushed forward with desperation but lacked precision.—
Noun
-
There is bafflement alongside the dismay.—
-
My seven-year-old, the daredevil of the family, was just an inch or so off the height requirements for zip lining high above the Central Park neighborhood and the FlowRider surf simulator, much to her dismay.—
Verb
-
According to a new Daily Mail report, Reiner’s grieving siblings, Jake and Romy, are not inclined to support any attempt by their brother to lessen his criminal responsibility for their parents’ murder.—
-
Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her husband Ivara Esege, MD, are grieving an unimaginable loss.—
Noun
-
Emotions were on full display with many expressing sadness and frustration, not only over Wednesday's federal raid, but raids happening around the Twin Cities over the last 40 days.—
-
The initial answer to that question is a no, according to some evangelical pastors and commentators who reacted with shock and sadness to Yancey’s confession.—
Noun
-
But to unmask the killer in a mansion filled with ticking clocks and suspects, amateur detective Eileen must first get round discouragement from Lady Caterham, played by Helena Bonham Carter, and Sherlock star Martin Freeman as superintendent Battle.—
-
Keep your cool, adjust expectations, and don’t let discouragement bring you down during this early period of the year.—
Verb
-
Officers arrived on the scene to find a man suffering from gunshot wounds, who was later pronounced deceased.—
-
George Kittle was carted off in the second quarter with an Achilles injury suffered on his only reception of the game, but the 49ers scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to overcome yet another star going down.—
Noun
-
However, amid the current turmoil in all three branches of our government, the show echoes a tone of hopelessness.—
-
In a world fraught with real-life villains, political upheaval and a collective sense of hopelessness, fantasy steps in to inspire people to carry on, and that rings especially true for LGBTQ+ teens.—
Verb
-
By evening, hundreds were there for a vigil to mourn the death and urge the public to resist immigration enforcers.—
-
And as the university mourns Ward’s death, Self helped to put the win in perspective.—
Cite this Entry
“Despair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despair. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share