DESPAIRING Synonyms: 168 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of despairing are desperate , despondent , and hopeless . While all these words mean "having lost all or nearly all hope," despairing suggests the slipping away of all hope and often despondency. // despairing appeals for the return of the kidnapped child

Q: When is it sensible to use 'desperate' instead of 'despairing'?

While the synonyms desperate and despairing 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 might 'despondent' be a better fit than 'despairing'?

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

Q: Where would 'hopeless' be a reasonable alternative to 'despairing'?

The synonyms hopeless and despairing are sometimes interchangeable, but hopeless suggests despair and the cessation of effort or resistance and often implies acceptance or resignation. // the situation of the trapped miners is hopeless

despairing 1 of 2

adjective

di-ˈsper-iŋ

Definition of despairing next

as in hopeless

emphasizing or expecting the worst despairing predictions regarding the effects of global overpopulation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in desperate

feeling or showing no hope despairing applicants need to be reminded that most students are eventually accepted somewhere

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

despairing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of despair

as in grieving

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective despairing differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of despairing are desperate, despondent, and hopeless. While all these words mean "having lost all or nearly all hope," despairing suggests the slipping away of all hope and often despondency.

despairing appeals for the return of the kidnapped child

When is it sensible to use desperate instead of despairing?

While the synonyms desperate and despairing 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 might despondent be a better fit than despairing?

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

despondent about yet another rejection

Where would hopeless be a reasonable alternative to despairing?

The synonyms hopeless and despairing are sometimes interchangeable, but hopeless suggests despair and the cessation of effort or resistance and often implies acceptance or resignation.

the situation of the trapped miners is hopeless

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of despairing

Adjective

On the Calculation of Volume is a book of hours in its most literal sense, a diary in which Tara tallies each of her November 18ths and her attempts, both hopeful and despairing, to break free from the cycle she is trapped within. —

Rhian Sasseen, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2024 In one number, Swinton, who goes glossy-eyed to show the cracks in her high-fashion veneer, poses in a transparent rain slicker while bleating raw, yowling noises that blend with the despairing strings. —

Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024

Verb

These are the people who, despairing of finding their way out honestly, simply smash and bash their way through the corn willy-nilly. —

Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2024 Meme-makers across America are despairing right now. —

Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for despairing

Recent Examples of Synonyms for despairing

Adjective

Limit Media Exposure Without Putting Your Head in the Sand Staying informed is essential for leaders, but constantly consuming the news can leave you feeling overwhelmed and hopeless.

— Amy Blankson, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
Collette plays Muriel, who escapes from her hopeless life via her devoted fandom to the Swedish supergroup.

— Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025