Despair
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /dɪˈspɛə(ɹ)/ · Part of speech verb
Quick meaning: Despair is a verb meaning (transitive, obsolete) To give up as beyond hope or expectation; to despair of.
Meaning
(transitive, obsolete) To give up as beyond hope or expectation; to despair of.
More Meanings
- (transitive) To cause to despair.
- (intransitive) To be hopeless; to have no hope; to give up all hope or expectation. [(often) with of]
- Loss of hope; utter hopelessness; complete despondency.
- That which causes despair.
- That which is despaired of.
Example Sentences
We despaired even of life.
My daughter's behavior drives me to despair.
Thinking of what I was despairing about despaired me further
I would not despair the greatest design that could be attempted.
Word Forms
- despairs
- despairing
- despaired
Synonyms for despair
Depending on context, synonyms include desperation, despondency, hopelessness, despond, unhope, wanhope.
Antonyms for despair
Common opposites include hope, respair.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include desperation, wanhope, despondency, hopelessness, misery, dismay.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.