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despairing

[dih-spair-ing]

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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR despairing ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

given to despair or hopelessness.

indicating despair: a despairing look.

Origin of despairing

First recorded in 1585–95; despair + -ing²

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

Synonym study

1. See hopeless.

Antonyms for despairing

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for despairingly

desperately, sadly, dispiritedly, cynically, darkly, dejectedly, desolately, despondently, disconsolately, dismally, emptily, gloomily, pessimistically

Examples from the Web for despairingly

Historical Examples of despairingly

"You don't seem to realize the position you're in," the father insisted, despairingly.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana
"I have done every thing, Angela," said Pauline, despairingly.
Graham's Magazine Vol. XXXII No. 2. February 1848
Various
Despairingly did he struggle against this gradual invasion of his being.
Abbe Mouret's Transgression
Emile Zola
“You accept that part of my letter, but not my other request,” she said, despairingly.
The Bondwoman
Marah Ellis Ryan
As he felt his strength failing he looked around him despairingly.
The Young Miner
Horatio Alger, Jr.

British Dictionary definitions for despairingly

despairing

adjective

marked by or resulting from despair; hopeless or desperate

Derived Formsdespairingly, 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