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.

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hopeless

He was hopeless at math and likely dyslexic, but said he was utterly transfixed by music.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026

But things aren’t hopeless, and we’re not powerless.

From Slate ● Jul. 28, 2026

After a Persian subterfuge stripped the Greeks of their leadership, it seemed to many of the Ten Thousand that the situation was hopeless.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026

And one from financial company Schroders says even most workers who are participating in company retirement plans think the math is almost hopeless.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 17, 2026

“Take it as a warning, for whatever profit that knowledge may be. But do not listen overmuch to the echoes. Others have done so, and have wandered hopeless ever since.”

From "The Book of Three" by Lloyd Alexander

hopeless

Example Sentences

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