despair
noun
loss of hope; hopelessness.
was despairing
-
past progressiveof despair.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Tippett, a former NHS England boss who led on personalised care, told the BBC the result was "despairing".
From BBC ● May 19, 2026
Sahar Kamel Samouni, a 33-year-old mother of five displaced from Gaza City, was despairing: Even when food could be found, the drinking water was dirty and the children came down with diarrhea.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 28, 2023
This time it was Sean Dyche who was despairing, as Ben Mee’s high foot caught Laurent Koscielny in the face in the final seconds of a prolonged stoppage time.
From The Guardian ● Jan. 22, 2017
I was despairing that I was ever going to get a chance to do the sort of comedy I could drive, and then this came along, and I thought it was cinematic in that way.
From Time ● Apr. 4, 2014
She was despairing of ever getting it right when one morning there was gum under the pillow.
From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
