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Definitions

despairing

[dih-spair-ing] / dɪˈspɛər ɪŋ /
ADJECTIVE
upset, despondent
Synonyms
STRONGEST
grief-stricken melancholic melancholy pessimistic suicidal
STRONG
blue dejected depressed oppressed sunk
WEAK
anxious at end of one's rope brokenhearted can't win cynical desperate disconsolate downcast forlorn frantic hopeless in pain in the dumps in the pits in the soup inconsolable miserable no-win not a prayer sad shot down strabilious weighed down wretched
Antonyms
STRONG
cheerful encouraged happy joyous
WEAK
confident expectant hopeful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

As wars multiply, Pope Leo’s aides aren’t despairing about the possibilities of diplomacy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 21, 2026

Guardiola struck a despairing tone as he discussed the reasons for City's slump.

From Barron's • Jan. 20, 2026

Some may wish to avoid Loktev’s film because of those despairing parallels.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 25, 2025

This, in turn, can drive despairing male viewers ever further into the manosphere.

From Salon • Nov. 21, 2025

She took down their words at breakneck pace, despairing because while she was filling a page, the one before it was erased.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.