despair

Triumph, termination, starting over: This would be Capra’s Hollywood loop, with corresponding moods that veered from euphoria to near-suicidal despair.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 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

It is enough to make Spurs fans despair.

From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2026

I could not but see how right he was and the terrible despair of Mina’s face became relaxed a thought; there was hope in such good counsel.

From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker

Klaus both despises his native country and despairs at the dichotomous paradigm of the postwar world—“Stalin or Mickey Mouse,” he gripes—and asks Erika, “Is there anything you still believe in?”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026

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

Kakar despairs at the plight of Afghans who remain in Pakistan.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 28, 2024

She badgers LB to get a job and despairs when her stubborn daughter holds out for meaningful work rather than going to Scranton, Pa., to work in collections.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 5, 2023

Another story: the emperor despairs of Ending a horse able to run a thousand li.

From "Typical American" by Gish Jen

Fans have cheered and despaired at the World Cup's most exciting - and nail-biting - moments in pubs, watch parties and sitting rooms across the country.

From BBC ● Jul. 9, 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

They mourned the loss of entertainment industry jobs and despaired over homeless people living in squalor.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 21, 2026

The 28-year-old software engineer despaired of ever reaching America.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2025

I despaired of that day ever reaching its end, but of course it did, and with it our journey.

From "The Shakespeare Stealer" by Gary L. Blackwood

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

But he's already despairing about his future housing prospects.

From BBC ● May 12, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 21, 2026

“Especially in despairing economic times we need to ensure people aren’t being denied access.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 18, 2026

Here was something to make them proud, something to give them hope after the despairing stories of Bull Run and Ball’s Bluff and Wilson’s Creek.

From "Across Five Aprils" by Irene Hunt