despair
loss of hope; hopelessness.
someone or something that causes hopelessness: He is the despair of his mother.
to lose, give up, or be without hope (often followed by of): to despair of humanity.
Obsolete. to give up hope of.
Origin of despair
1synonym study For despair
Other words for despair
Opposites for despair
Other words from despair
- de·spair·er, noun
- self-de·spair, noun
- un·de·spaired, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use despair in a sentence
An awful fear seized me that perhaps he, Gabriel, might be driven to the haven of despairers.
The Wings of Icarus | Laurence Alma Tadema
British Dictionary definitions for despair
/ (dɪˈspɛə) /
(intr often foll by of) to lose or give up hope: I despair of his coming
(tr) obsolete to give up hope of; lose hope in
total loss of hope
a person or thing that causes hopelessness or for which there is no hope
Origin of despair
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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