DESPAIR Synonyms: 108 Similar and Opposite Words

despair 1 of 2

noun

di-ˈsper

Definition of despair

as in desperation

utter loss of hope the endless drought drove the farmers to despair

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in dismay

the state of being discouraged the other team's temporary lead caused some momentary despair

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

despair

2 of 2

verb

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

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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

Noun

Plath is shown not as a passive victim of despair, but as a brilliant intellectual and visionary poet. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 16 Oct. 2026 Teacher of 19 years used to be able to help traumatized students without falling into despair. — R. Eric Thomas, Washington Post, 14 Oct. 2026

Verb

In 2014, the party despaired at the success of the Koch donor network — decades of right-wing philanthropy that paid off in the tea party movement. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 10 June 2026 And if the waitlist gets outrageous, don’t despair—there are many ways to slurp in Tomales Bay. — Becky Duffett, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for despair

Recent Examples of Synonyms for despair

Noun

The two-time Pro Bowl quarterback dislocated his right thumb when his throwing hand hit Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman on a desperation pass on fourth down that was intercepted late in the fourth quarter of a 23-16 loss in Week 3.

— Rob Maaddi, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Such a gamble could deepen Israel’s insecurity, but electoral desperation seldom improves anyone’s judgment.

— Ali Vaez, Time, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of desperation

Noun

When news got around that a new movie version of Sense and Sensibility was in the works, cries of dismay rang forth from Bath to Brooklyn.

— Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
To his dismay, many of the exultant people in cowboy hats, burnt orange T-shirts and other spirit gear appeared to be of South Asian heritage.

— Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of dismay

Noun

Tsai, the Stanford professor, has conducted research on how emotion in American culture puts value on trying to always feel positive and minimizing negativity and sadness.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Survey findings About 28% of Gaston respondents reported moderate or higher levels of negative emotions such as sadness, anxiety, anger or boredom, compared with roughly 10% in Union, Venkitasubramanian said.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of sadness

Noun

In a paper in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, members of the WTA’s performance and health staff stressed the importance of providing support, rather than discouragement, to athletes seeking to preserve their fertility.

— Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2026
Despite the feeling of discouragement that can come with the rejections and even ghostings applicants face, these internships — though sometimes few and far between — still exist.

— Cami Fateh, Vogue, 15 July 2026

Definition of discouragement

Verb

Social media giant Meta was hit with a class action lawsuit in Australia on behalf of children and teenagers who allegedly suffered harm over the addictive design features and exposure to harmful content on its platforms Facebook and Instagram.

— Chad de Guzman, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Sexton, who missed all five preseason games, was a full participant in practice Monday and did not suffer a setback, Redick said.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of suffer

Noun

Few residents wanted to speak about politics, citing a general feeling of hopelessness and frustration.

— Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Burdick seemed to have drawn directly from McCarthy’s experience, the hopelessness of fighting with his father over a world his father had already ruined, the surrender to indulgence and mindless violence because…why not?

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of hopelessness

Verb

The series focuses on a 13-year-old named Sophie, who mourns her grandfather Thomas every day in a Milan cemetery.

— Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026
Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Riley Green, and more mourned Anderson, and honored the Country Music Hall of Fame member’s generational talent.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of mourn

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desolations

despair

despaired

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Style

“Despair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despair. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of despair

noun

verb

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