hopeless

[hohp-lis] / ˈhoʊp lɪs /

ADJECTIVE

futile, pessimistic

Synonyms

STRONGEST

desperate forlorn helpless impossible pointless sad tragic useless

WEAK

bad beyond recall cynical dejected demoralized despairing despondent disconsolate discouraging downhearted fatal gone goner ill-fated impracticable in despair incurable irredeemable irreparable irreversible irrevocable lost menacing no-win past hope shot down sinister sunk threatening unachievable unavailing unfortunate unmitigable up the creek vain woebegone worsening

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cheerful good happy hopeful joyful

WEAK

auspicious bright encouraging expectant optimistic promising propitious rosy

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.

A report from the charity found that 40% of parents receiving its support felt anxious about providing for their children, while one in four reported feeling very low, hopeless or struggling with their mental health.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

Is this a hopeless situation that we should simply accept and walk away from?

From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026

After one too many summer months of hopeless applications, all I had was a job at a substitute-teaching agency, where I would be lucky to get work three days a week.

From Slate • Mar. 20, 2026

“Thanks for reading” was the suggested reply to someone who called me a hopeless loon and another guy who wondered why anybody would read my “dumb column.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 14, 2026

In the final game, Spassky played his twenty-seventh move—it was hopeless at that point—and then resigned.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

hopeless

Example Sentences

Related Words