1
as in desperation
utter loss of hope
the endless drought drove the farmers to despair
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dismay
the state of being discouraged
the other team's temporary lead caused some momentary despair
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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
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of despair
Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
The online vitriol that has been unleashed against the health insurance industry in the past two weeks has unmasked a profound level of despair, powerlessness and anger experienced by millions of Americans who feel betrayed by our healthcare system.
—Renee Hsia, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Tony Hunter, The Denver Post, 20 Dec. 2024
France – and much of the world – despaired as the 860-year-old cathedral’s roof caved in, strewing the stone floor below with soot.
—Christian Edwards, CNN, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for despair 
Noun
Woolf said his research team has identified 35 causes of death on the upswing among younger adults, which suggests a broader problem than despair.
—Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
The online vitriol that has been unleashed against the health insurance industry in the past two weeks has unmasked a profound level of despair, powerlessness and anger experienced by millions of Americans who feel betrayed by our healthcare system.
—Renee Hsia, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
In the 12 years since Austin Tice was abducted in Syria, his family and his coworkers at McClatchy have grieved at the absence of our writer, despaired at silence from the Syrian government and prayed that promises from three U.S. presidents would turn into actions that brought Austin home.
—Tony Hunter, The Denver Post, 20 Dec. 2024
France – and much of the world – despaired as the 860-year-old cathedral’s roof caved in, strewing the stone floor below with soot.
—Christian Edwards, CNN, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for despair
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despair
Noun
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An air of desperation hung over a handful of Premier League clubs last summer.Philip Buckingham, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025
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His words resonate deeply in a region where many, driven by desperation for a better life, risk their lives swimming or sailing across the perilous 25-mile Strait of Gibraltar to Spain—a journey that all too often ends in tragedy.Rooksana Hossenally, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Fans of the show shared their dismay at Nease's answer on social media.Latoya Gayle, People.com, 3 Jan. 2025
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It was announced in September that Lamar would headline the Super Bowl halftime show in New Orleans — much to the dismay of rappers who said Lil Wayne should have been given the gig as a hometown favorite.Char Adams, NBC News, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The breadth of information provided to residents came from a desire to help a grieving community learn answers and find who should be held accountable for the fear gripping the region, deputies said in the interview.Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 17 Jan. 2025
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And a little digging shows that the song wasn’t written until 1907 or recorded until 1909 — how could the grieving little girl possibly know it?Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Still, their constant discouragement is starting to wear on me.Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 23 Nov. 2024
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This leads to feelings of disengagement, discouragement and exhaustion.Jack Kelly, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024
Verb
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Both women needed emotional relief: Schiller’s husband suffered brain-damaging strokes a couple years prior, making her the family’s sole caretaker.Megan Sauer, CNBC, 17 Jan. 2025
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The driver and her five passengers suffered serious, possibly life-threatening injuries, according to state police.Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The announcement comes after the president and first lady arrived in Los Angeles late Monday after traveling to New Orleans to mourn with the community after the deadly New Year's Day vehicle attack in the French Quarter.Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
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County Rescue series lead Julia Reilly mourned the actor's death by sharing Great American Media's statement on her Instagram Stories and a photo of them together.Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Inaugurations have been held in both joy and sorrow in the nation's capital and, infamously, on a plane in Dallas.James Powel, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2025
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In a heartfelt statement from Truex's children – Martin Truex Jr., Ryan Truex, and Marsha McVey, the family shared their deep sorrow, paying tribute to their late father.David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The first-term mayor said $17.8 million in LAFD reductions hasn't hurt efforts to knock down the still out-of-control Palisades Fire.Janhvi Bhojwani, NBC News, 10 Jan. 2025
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On a monthly basis, PPI dipped by 0.1% compared to a 0.1% increase in November, as infrastructure and real estate projects were temporarily suspended during the off-season, the National Bureau of Statistics said, hurting demand for steel.Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near despair
Cite this Entry
“Despair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despair. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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