hopelessness
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of hopelessness
First recorded in 1805–10; hopeless ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )
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.
The toxic result is a deepening sense of hopelessness among younger people.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 2026
Unfortunately, that may result in feelings of anger, frustration, anxiety or hopelessness.
From Salon ● Jun. 5, 2026
These included anhedonia, feelings of hopelessness, and a sense of failure, in both women with and without HIV.
From Science Daily ● May 4, 2026
A "significant minority" also reported symptoms such as depression - 17.9%, hopelessness - 15.6%, or panic attacks - 8%.
From BBC ● Apr. 12, 2026
And despite that, despite the utter hopelessness of the situation, they still hadn’t given up.
From "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
