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

Western allies of the United States gathered in Munich this past week, anxious, adrift and despairing in the face of President Trump’s brute display of muscle-flexing on the global stage. —Mark Landler, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025

Bleak as that may sound, the musical finds rare shards of light — and an unlikely connection — in the most despairing of places. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025

American commentators have painted a bleak portrait of a nation collapsing into ever more distant and despairing silos. —Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 24 Jan. 2025

On April 3, 1968, the day before he was assassinated, Dr. King delivered a sermon in Memphis that offered a blunt assessment of a broken and despairing world. —Clyde McGrady, New York Times, 20 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of despair entry 2

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for despairing

• childbearing
• comparing
• declaring
• forbearing
• impairing
• preparing
• repairing
• ridesharing
• seafaring
• timesharing
• uncaring
• unerring

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