despair
Example Sentences
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They expressed frustration, despair and some acceptance that the gains they expected to reap—some in the seven figures—might be gone.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
Henrietta can experience a sense of "despair and distress" during her luteal phase, including feeling as though she is useless or having "intense flashbacks to embarrassing or upsetting experiences".
From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2026
After days of despair, he said he made a different choice — to survive.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
But remember, despair isn’t activism—it’s just another impediment to progress.
From Slate ● Jul. 27, 2026
William became her “Comforter” as she confessed her despair.
From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield
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
“I will name him. Yes. I will name this mouse Despereaux, for all the sadness, for the many despairs in this place. Now, where is my mirror?”
From "The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread" by Kate DiCamillo
But closer to the high-security perimeter, a crowd of worshippers despaired as police officers blocked their route.
From Barron's ● Jun. 7, 2026
The 28-year-old software engineer despaired of ever reaching America.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2025
You despaired because buying merchandise—both Fanatics’ own and products it retails—did not satiate your appetite to do e-commerce with this company.
From Slate ● Mar. 7, 2025
I’ve long despaired about the homelessness crisis in particular.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 7, 2024
“Better, ten kilos of rice and two bars of soap,” she said, which we do need badly, but I despaired for an imaginary windfall that would bring nothing but more white starch into this house.
From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver
Tippett, a former NHS England boss who led on personalised care, told the BBC the result was "despairing".
From BBC ● May 19, 2026
As wars multiply, Pope Leo’s aides aren’t despairing about the possibilities of diplomacy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 21, 2026
“Especially in despairing economic times we need to ensure people aren’t being denied access.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 18, 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
There were no more tricks to play; exhausted, despairing, he collapsed on his bed and fell asleep.
From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann
Vocabulary lists containing despair
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