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despairing
/ dɪˈspɛərɪŋ /
adjective
- marked by or resulting from despair; hopeless or desperate
Derived Forms
- desˈpairingly, adverb
Other Words From
- de·spairing·ly adverb
- unde·spairing adjective
- unde·spairing·ly adverb
Word History and Origins
Origin of despairing1
Synonym Study
Example Sentences
Though it doesn’t wrap up with anything close to a happy ending, it’s more galvanizing than it is despairing.
His disturbing images are what despairing victims and survivors in Liberia hoped the world would see.
We were too tired to resist this outrage, but shuffled down the street, silent and despairing.
Despairing about the length and frequency of the many fashion weeks has become a tired refrain.
Despairing, Brody picks up the syringe the doctor has left for him—and injects the heroin the doctor left alongside it.
Despairing, he is consoled by an elder statesman of his party.
He tried the effect of ridicule on the wretched and despairing Louis; and to one of his arguments, he at last extorted a reply.
On landing, the old prince, trembling from top to toe, with despairing glance clutched the arm of the Governor for protection.
When she could hold a pen in her hand, she sent a despairing letter to Madame Valmonde.
His art brings rest and tranquillity to the wearied and despairing, and she did not speak again until they had reached the house.
Being to leeward, they could hear despairing cries distinctly, and four or five human beings were seen clinging to the side.
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More About Despairing
What does despairing mean?
Despairing is an adjective that describes people who are experiencing despair—complete hopelessness.
The word despair is also commonly used as a verb meaning to lose all hope, and despairing comes from the continuous tense (-ing form) of the verb.
A despairing person is usually someone who is deeply sad about something that has happened or that hasn’t happened—something usually triggers the despair. This is especially the case in serious and very negative situations that involve finality, such as death or a devastating loss in a political election.
It often implies that one is giving up—that they believe there is nothing more to be done to make things better.
Despairing can also be used to describe things that involve or show despair, as in a despairing look.
Example: The despairing players stared in disbelief at the scoreboard, which showed an insurmountable lead with only minutes left.
Where does despairing come from?
The first records of the word despairing as an adjective come from around 1600. Its base word, despair, comes from the Latin verb dēspērāre, meaning “to be without hope” (the adjective desperate is based on the same root). Remember: at the heart of despair, there is hope—its ultimate root is the Latin root spēs, meaning “hope.”
You know the moment in the story when the hero loses all hope? In that moment, the despairing hero is at their lowest point, in the depths of despair—the rock bottom of hopelessness. This usually happens when it looks like there is no way out of what seems like a hopeless situation, or when it seems like there is no longer a way to win, succeed, or overcome evil. And yet, in many cases, hope springs eternal.
Did you know ... ?
What are some other forms related to despairing?
- despairingly (adverb)
- undespairing (adjective)
- undespairingly (adverb)
- despair (noun, verb)
What are some synonyms for despairing?
What are some words that share a root or word element with despairing?
What are some words that often get used in discussing despairing?
How is despairing used in real life?
Despairing is usually used in the context of serious situations, such as the death of a loved one or some other painful loss.
After going for broke last year with a strategy of trying to undo the withdrawal, they are rallying their weary, despairing supporters for hugely consequential battles ahead over the shape of Brexit https://t.co/EINeeFuUfx
— New York Times World (@nytimesworld) January 31, 2020
If you read "This Town" for snark, you'll miss the point: it's an unsettling, almost despairing look at how D.C. works–and why it doesn't.
— Jeff Greenfield (@greenfield64) July 21, 2013
I had one of those 'embracing-a-stranger-at-the-pub' moments when Rooney scored last night. When Suarez won it we shared a despairing glance
— James Joslin (@james_joslin) June 20, 2014
Try using despairing!
Which of the following words is a synonym of despairing?
A. despondent
B. desperate
C. hopeless
D. all of the above
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