1
as in desperation
utter loss of hope
the endless drought drove the farmers to despair
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dismay
the state of being discouraged
the other team's temporary lead caused some momentary despair
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to grieve
to lose all hope or confidence
we despaired when we saw how little time we had left to complete our project
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of despair
Nicole Hockley, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
Society’s collapse is swift and brutal, leading to widespread despair and violence.
—David Faris, TheWeek, 22 Apr. 2026
Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 26 Feb. 2026
Democrats rejoiced; Republicans despaired.
—Kevin Igoe, Baltimore Sun, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for despair
Noun
There are hints of depression, despair even suicidal thinking.
—Nicole Hockley, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
Society’s collapse is swift and brutal, leading to widespread despair and violence.
—David Faris, TheWeek, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
As someone who regularly despairs over the choice between a sweet or savory breakfast meal, this was a godsend.
—Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 26 Feb. 2026
Democrats rejoiced; Republicans despaired.
—Kevin Igoe, Baltimore Sun, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for despair
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despair
Noun
-
According to some experts, this paralyzing fear and desperation are factors that scammers exploit to put their criminal schemes into action.—
Albinson Linares,
NBC news,
26 Apr. 2026
-
But her desperation seems exposed at Cupertino, too, where Little Tim mocks her for her dim suggestion that psychotherapists be deployed to the company’s Guangzhou factory to cool down a labor crisis.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Los Angeles reservoir that was notoriously empty during the 2025 Palisades fire has been drained once again as crews replace its floating cover, to the dismay of area residents who worry that there won’t be water available to fight wildfires.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Our shock and dismay comes not from political differences — but from their lack of knowledge beyond superficialities.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In a public apology shared last week with grieving community members in a 2,000-person rural mining town called Tumbler Ridge, the OpenAI CEO promised to do better next time.—
Robert Pearlman,
ArsTechnica,
29 Apr. 2026
-
In-person collage-making for those grieving.—
Staff Report,
Baltimore Sun,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The scene where Artax the horse gets stuck in the swamps of sadness?—
Redazione People,
Vanity Fair,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Family members said it’s been a long road of frustration, agony and sadness watching Hitchcock’s death sentences get overturned three times amid the nearly a dozen appeals his attorneys have filed over the decades.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Despite heavy discouragement from local authorities, macaques are unlikely to reduce their junk food consumption, given the popularity of the tourist attraction and their history of interacting with humans dating back to the 18th century.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
23 Apr. 2026
-
More than 100 Manus employees moved into Meta’s Singapore offices in early March, CNBC has learned, signaling the controversial AI business deal has moved ahead despite Beijing’s discouragement.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Hall had a 1% chance of survival when he was born four months premature at just 23 weeks gestation, born without a heartbeat and suffering from a brain bleed.—
Jackson Thompson OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Frey suffered the loss but allowed up only two earned runs on four hits and a walk for Kaneland (6-9-1, 4-3).—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The other featured a comeback that saw hopelessness turn into jubilation.—
Peter Warren,
Houston Chronicle,
28 Mar. 2026
-
For her and many other Iranians who spoke to CNN – their surnames withheld to protect their identities – the past three weeks have been filled with a sense of hopelessness and fear.—
Leila Gharagozlou,
CNN Money,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Per executives, Ganesh was written off for storyline purposes, leaving fans to mourn the beloved character.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Relatives of Amal Khalil, a Lebanese journalist who officials and her employer say was killed by an Israeli airstrike yesterday, gathered in Baysariyeh in southern Lebanon this morning to mourn her loss ahead of funeral processions.—
Sean Nevin,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Despair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despair. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
