despair
noun
loss of hope; hopelessness.
had despaired
-
past perfectof despair.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He had despaired of seeing it performed in his lifetime, hence its title, but Ms. Mingus managed to bring the piece to the stage in a landmark performance at Lincoln Center in 1989.
From New York Times ● Sep. 30, 2022
Many Puerto Rican activists had despaired for years that the islands’ people weren’t standing up for themselves.
From Slate ● Jul. 25, 2019
By the mid-1970s, the SDS had broken apart, and many young people had despaired that peaceful change - or any change - was possible.
From Washington Times ● Oct. 24, 2016
By the mid-1970s, the SDS had broken apart, and many young people had despaired that peaceful change — or any change — was possible.
From US News ● Oct. 24, 2016
Even Grandfather had despaired of trying, and that’s why they were in America.
From "In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson" by Bette Bao Lord
