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Definitions

despair

[dih-spair] / dɪˈspɛər /
NOUN
depression, hopelessness
Synonyms
STRONGEST
anguish desperation despondency discouragement gloom melancholy misery pain sorrow
STRONG
dejection disheartenment forlornness ordeal trial tribulation wretchedness
WEAK
dashed hopes
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cheer comfort contentment encouragement happiness joy pleasure
STRONG
peace
WEAK
cheerfulness confidence faith hopefulness joyfulness trust
VERB
give up hope
Synonyms
STRONG
abandon despond destroy drop flatten relinquish renounce resign surrender yield
WEAK
be hopeless give way have heavy heart let air out lose faith lose heart take down
Antonyms
STRONG
keep pursue
WEAK
anticipate expect have faith hope wish for

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.

Details of organisations offering help and support with mental health, or feelings of despair are available at BBC Action Line.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

As fall semester began, panic and then despair set in.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

That convergence of feelings made me wonder: What kind of girl would write letters to former flames, not out of love, but out of despair?

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026

You have avoided great depths of despair and panic, and even greater heights of self-congratulation and ecstasy.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 19, 2026

I so dreaded a reply that would crush me with despair.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

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