despair

Gwen Owen is the founder of a women-only running group and has taken to Instagram to express her despair at "intimidating" harassment she and Môn Girls Run receive from men at night.

From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026

Crisis talk can also create a sense of despair that prevents action.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 25, 2026

Unlike bear-market bottoms, which typically end with a spasm of despair as traders throw in the towel, bull-market tops are far more gradual and less dramatic.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 20, 2026

Both said that the scandal dominating the headlines and the loss of their dream jobs sent them into the depths of despair.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2026

Then I rose up on my curtainless bed, trembling and quivering; and then the still, dark night witnessed the convulsion of despair, and heard the burst of passion.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

Now 27, she despairs when hearing another Cornell president talk about reforming the Greek system.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

After spending much of the day queuing, he did not manage to enter the bank there, and despairs at the idea of having to go back again.

From BBC ● Nov. 29, 2025

Marriage is the main topic, both the joys and despairs, in numbers that make ambivalence energizing, fun, poignant and, most important, resonantly true.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2024

When her TV show is canceled, the actress does what you might predict given the movie’s exaggerated look and tone: She despairs at what she sees in the mirror and reaches for an outrageous solution.

From New York Times ● May 24, 2024

“I will name him. Yes. I will name this mouse Despereaux, for all the sadness, for the many despairs in this place. Now, where is my mirror?”

From "The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread" by Kate DiCamillo

Things became "very difficult indeed" in the marriage early on, Earl Spencer writes, adding that he is "sure that both spouses despaired of the other at times".

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026

But closer to the high-security perimeter, a crowd of worshippers despaired as police officers blocked their route.

From Barron's ● Jun. 7, 2026

After deep contemplation, she despaired, writing: “Nature’s silence is its one remark, and every flake of world is a chip off that old mute and immutable block.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 16, 2026

In the early, chaotic days of the COVID-19 pandemic, transitional-kindergarten teacher Elizabeth Lam despaired.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 18, 2025

My dear Miss Lydia, By now you have despaired of me and decided that I am a man who does not honor his word.

From "Lyddie" by Katherine Paterson

Despite facing notable challenges and coming of age in a culture infected by “big woe,” or an onslaught of despairing information, Moore believes there is still reason for young people to be optimistic.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 8, 2026

Still, Ohm is more despairing and miserable than any of the wretched worms Scott has acted to date.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 30, 2026

Tyler Smith made a despairing dive to try to block his shot but the assistant referee raised his flag immediately to signal the goal.

From BBC ● Apr. 25, 2026

Mr. Page expresses such deep, despairing horror that, for a few minutes at least, this minor tragedy rises to heights of harrowing feeling.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 1, 2026

This may yet be his salvation, for, if all go well, it will tide him over the despairing period; he will then, in a kind of way, wake again to the realities of life.

From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker