despair

The poles of triumph and despair are the terrain of writers such as Charles Dickens—or, as Sam Sacks notes, the novelist Barbara Kingsolver.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026

But even “A Different World” hit its limits when it plunged the audience inside the Black folks’ shock and despair after the 1992 Los Angeles uprising.

From Salon ● Sep. 24, 2026

But don’t despair, those who want to understand their cats better.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026

"I have no plans to take the exam elsewhere; financially, it is not possible for me to take it outside Iran," she told AFP, describing the "sheer despair" among Iranians hoping to study abroad.

From Barron's ● Sep. 8, 2026

The movie ended with George, overwhelmed by despair, calling up Margery’s ghostly image until he fell over dead himself.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

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

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 28, 2024

Then Isabel’s despairs stack, pressing her to expand her inquiry beyond the United States and diagnose history’s gravest injuries.

From Salon ● Jan. 26, 2024

Now he despairs of the international community because it is not doing more to stop the fighting.

From BBC ● Jan. 7, 2024

When they finally make it to their destination and find they’ll be sharing it with an unexpected houseguest, Leon grumbles and despairs of getting anything done.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 12, 2023

But without academic credentials, he despairs of ever getting published in a scholarly journal.

From "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell

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

“I think the game is pretty near up,” Washington despaired to his brother.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 21, 2025

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

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 18, 2025

I also despaired because Hamlet had not come to me.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

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

Crowther shares a few scraps of despairing, Plathian verse, but almost entirely neglects her unfinished posthumous memoir, published in 1974 as “My Story.”

From Los Angeles Times ● May 25, 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

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

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 21, 2026

He picks it up, slowly making the connection, but when I slide down to join him, he looks more despairing than ever.

From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins