despairing

[ dih-spair-ing ]

/ dɪˈspɛər ɪŋ /

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See synonyms for despairing on Thesaurus.com

adjective

given to despair or hopelessness.

indicating despair: a despairing look.

OPPOSITES FOR despairing

1 hopeful.

See antonyms for despairing on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?

shall

should

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Origin of despairing

First recorded in 1585–95; despair + -ing²

synonym study for despairing

1. See hopeless.

OTHER WORDS FROM despairing

de·spair·ing·ly, adverbun·de·spair·ing, adjectiveun·de·spair·ing·ly, adverb

How to use despairing in a sentence

People who demonstrate tragic optimism suffer the same—and sometimes even more—pain and sorrow in the short term as those who become pessimistic and despairing.
The Pandemic Is a Marathon. Here's How to Stay Strong.|Brad Stulberg|January 20, 2021|Outside Online
The goal is not to spend the next several months despairing.
The Pandemic Is a Marathon. Here's How to Stay Strong.|Brad Stulberg|January 20, 2021|Outside Online
American Jews often talk despairingly—and sometimes accurately—about the problems of Palestinian political culture.
Centrist Arrogance in Ariel|Peter Beinart|October 31, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The Goblin looked back despairingly, and Davy just caught the words, "I don't know how to turn around!"
Davy and The Goblin|Charles E. Carryl

He'll immediately throw down his bunch of flowers and dive despairingly into the moat.
First Plays|A. A. Milne
"Girls, I just can't go another step—unless it's toward home," she finished despairingly.
The Sunbridge Girls at Six Star Ranch|Eleanor H. (Eleanor Hodgman) Porter
The shock of Jack Dineheart's threat had almost killed her, and Lizette hung over her despairingly.
They Looked and Loved|Mrs. Alex McVeigh Miller
As he was walking despairingly up and down the seashore, he spied an old man warming himself in the sun.
Laboulaye's Fairy Book|Various

British Dictionary definitions for despairing

despairing

/ (dɪˈspɛərɪŋ) /

adjective

marked by or resulting from despair; hopeless or desperate

Derived forms of despairing

despairingly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

despairing

OPPOSITES FOR despairing

Origin of despairing

synonym study for despairing

OTHER WORDS FROM despairing

Words related to despairing

How to use despairing in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for despairing

Derived forms of despairing