Despair
/dɪˈspeər/
Definitions
2 meaningsThe complete loss or absence of hope.
/dɪˈspeər/
A complete loss or absence of hope.
The news filled him with despair.
💡 Simply: Despair is like when you feel so sad and hopeless that you don't think things will ever get better. Imagine you really wanted to win a game, but you kept losing, and you felt like you'd never win. That feeling is close to despair.
👶 For kids: When you feel super, super sad and like nothing good will ever happen.
More Examples
She sank into despair after the loss of her job.
The doctor was able to lift her out of her despair.
How It's Used
"The novel explores the theme of despair in the face of adversity."
"Clinical depression can manifest as profound despair."
To lose or be without hope.
/dɪˈspeər/
Lose or be without hope.
She despaired of ever finding a job.
💡 Simply: To despair is to give up hope. Imagine you're building a LEGO tower, and it keeps falling down. If you despair, you might just give up on building the tower at all.
👶 For kids: To give up on hoping for something to happen.
More Examples
Do not despair, things will get better.
They despaired at the thought of the long journey ahead.
How It's Used
"He despaired of ever finding a solution to the problem."
"Many people despair at the current state of politics."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
beyond (all) despair
Unable to be comforted or helped; hopeless.
"After years of searching, he was beyond despair about finding his lost dog."
in despair
Feeling or showing despair.
"She was in despair after failing her exam."
From Old French *desperer*, from Latin *desperare* ("to lose hope"), from *de-* ("away") + *sperare* ("to hope").
The word despair has been used since the 13th century and gained prominence in literature and philosophical discussions about human suffering and loss of faith.
Memory tip
Imagine a dark, empty space where hope used to be - that's despair.
Word Origin
"to lose hope"