despair

[ dih-spair ]

noun

1. loss of hope; hopelessness.

   Synonyms: disheartenment, gloom

   Antonyms: hope

2. someone or something that causes hopelessness:

   He is the despair of his mother.

verb (used without object)

1. to lose, give up, or be without hope (often followed by of ):

   to despair of humanity.

verb (used with object)

1. Obsolete. to give up hope of.

despair

/ dɪˈspɛə /

verb

1. introften foll byof to lose or give up hope

   I despair of his coming

2. obsolete.
   tr to give up hope of; lose hope in

noun

1. total loss of hope
2. a person or thing that causes hopelessness or for which there is no hope

Other Words From

• de·spairer noun
• self-de·spair noun
• unde·spaired adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of despair¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English despeir (noun), despeiren (verb), from Anglo-French despeir, Old French despoir (noun), desperer (verb), from Latin dēspērāre “to be without hope,” from dē- de- + spērāre “to hope” (derivative of spēs “hope”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of despair¹

C14: from Old French despoir hopelessness, from desperer to despair, from Latin dēspērāre, from de- + spērāre to hope

Synonym Study

Despair, desperation, despondency, discouragement, hopelessness refer to a state of mind caused by circumstances that seem too much to cope with. Despair suggests total loss of hope, which may be passive or may drive one to furious efforts, even if at random: in the depths of despair; courage born of despair. Desperation is usually an active state, the abandonment of hope impelling to a furious struggle against adverse circumstances, with utter disregard of consequences: an act of desperation when everything else had failed. Despondency is a state of deep gloom and disheartenment: a spell of despondency. Discouragement is a loss of courage, hope, and ambition because of obstacles, frustrations, etc.: His optimism yielded to discouragement. Hopelessness is a loss of hope so complete as to result in a more or less permanent state of passive despair: a state of hopelessness and apathy.

Example Sentences

In 1984, the song, accompanied by wrenching famine images, simplified a complex crisis, reducing the nation’s historical, cultural and religious identity to a caricature of despair for Western audiences.

From Los Angeles Times

In one number, Swinton, who goes glossy-eyed to show the cracks in her high-fashion veneer, poses in a transparent rain slicker while bleating raw, yowling noises that blend with the despairing strings.

From Los Angeles Times

Oppenheimer — such a perfectly apt surname — calls the genre “the wolf of despair in the sheep clothing of hope.”

From Los Angeles Times

Many of those in despair turn to Al-Ashqar, the money fixer.

From Los Angeles Times

Instilling hope, the theory goes, is key to motivating people to act; without it, people will succumb to despair and apathy.

From Salon

Related Words

• anguish
• desperation
• despondency
• discouragement
• gloom
• melancholy
• misery
• pain
• sorrow