1
as in desperation
utter loss of hope
the endless drought drove the farmers to despair
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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
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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of despair
Bilal Shbair and Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024
Stale beer, sweat, and (often) despair linger in the air, but the beers are cheap and the company is largely non-judgmental.
—Bychris Morris, Fortune, 3 Dec. 2024
Chris Branch, The Athletic, 16 July 2024
Yet that difficult task need not drive people to despair.
—Kelly Sims Gallagher, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for despair 
Noun
Many of those in despair turn to Al-Ashqar, the money fixer.
—Bilal Shbair and Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024
Stale beer, sweat, and (often) despair linger in the air, but the beers are cheap and the company is largely non-judgmental.
—Bychris Morris, Fortune, 3 Dec. 2024
Verb
But lo, reader, do not despair: NFL training camp inches ever closer.
—Chris Branch, The Athletic, 16 July 2024
Yet that difficult task need not drive people to despair.
—Kelly Sims Gallagher, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for despair
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despair
Noun
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Somehow, desperation is delivered back to us as something like hope.Mitch Therieau, The New Yorker, 27 Dec. 2024
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Then interim head coach Thomas Brown sent the punt team on the field, only to change his mind, burn a timeout with the clock stopped, put the offense back out there, and watch Caleb Williams pull a rabbit out of his hat with a desperation throw to wide receiver DJ Moore.Kevin Fishbain, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
Noun
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After Lamar was named the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show headliner, other musicians expressed their dismay that Lil Wayne was not selected as well, including Nicki Minaj, Birdman, Master P, Cam’ron, and Mase.Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 17 Dec. 2024
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Each of our 10 resulting selections is a triumph of alchemy, deriving insight from fresh combinations of dismay and delight, tragedy and comedy, mourning and hope.The Atlantic, The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2024
Verb
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At the time of the crash, Huger was grieving deeply, with Mother’s Day approaching and the grief still raw.Shelby Stewart, Essence, 19 Dec. 2024
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Generally about losing your spark, the lyrics have now come to soundtrack grieving parents and partners.Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
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This leads to feelings of disengagement, discouragement and exhaustion.Jack Kelly, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024
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This isn’t just a lesson kids need to hear; parents deal with failure and discouragement too.Kara Nesvig, Parents, 9 Oct. 2024
Verb
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Those injured in the incident are between 14 and 27 years old, and eight of them suffered gunshot wounds, police said.Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 18 Dec. 2024
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Technology companies rarely suffer from a lack of ideas, but how to choose the right ones is both an art and a skill.Aidan Connolly, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Residents of the town set flowers in front of a nearby church to mourn those who died Friday night.Ross O'Keefe, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Dec. 2024
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Abrams is mourning the end of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour How to watch 'SNL' on Dec. 21?Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Those little eyebrows pinched in sorrow or remorse?Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 19 Dec. 2024
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Because, Linford says, while sorrow is real, the final word is joy.Jason DeRose, NPR, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Repealing legislation like the IRA would only hurt this growing industry.Energy Innovation: Policy and Technology, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
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McConnell: Busted his face open and hurt his wrist after a fall.Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near despair
Cite this Entry
“Despair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despair. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.
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