despairing

[dih-spair-ing] / dɪˈspɛər ɪŋ /

ADJECTIVE

upset, despondent

Synonyms

STRONGEST

grief-stricken melancholic melancholy pessimistic suicidal

STRONG

blue dejected depressed oppressed sunk

WEAK

anxious at end of one's rope brokenhearted can't win cynical desperate disconsolate downcast forlorn frantic hopeless in pain in the dumps in the pits in the soup inconsolable miserable no-win not a prayer sad shot down strabilious weighed down wretched

Antonyms

STRONG

cheerful encouraged happy joyous

WEAK

confident expectant hopeful

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.

Still, Ohm is more despairing and miserable than any of the wretched worms Scott has acted to date.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026

The angry, despairing look on team owner Lawrence Stroll's face in Bahrain said it all.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

Dunk, though wounded and despairing of Baelor’s death, wins his trial and becomes a legend that characters in “A Song of Ice and Fire” recall as a true knight.

From Salon • Feb. 25, 2026

But Nina soon found herself despairing, once she realized she could not leave her hiding place.

From Barron's • Feb. 2, 2026

I have no more help to give, Dany thought, despairing.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

despairing

Example Sentences

Related Words