Definitions

despairing

[dih-spair-ing] / dɪˈspɛər ɪŋ /

ADJECTIVE

upset, despondent

Synonyms

STRONGEST

grief-stricken melancholic melancholy pessimistic suicidal

STRONG

blue dejected depressed oppressed sunk

WEAK

anxious at end of one's rope brokenhearted can't win cynical desperate disconsolate downcast forlorn frantic hopeless in pain in the dumps in the pits in the soup inconsolable miserable no-win not a prayer sad shot down strabilious weighed down wretched

Antonyms

STRONG

cheerful encouraged happy joyous

WEAK

confident expectant hopeful

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.

Despairing at the end of a dire goalless Manchester derby, Gary Neville railed against not only the poor performances of the two teams but the state of Premier League football in general.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2025

Despairing: Some might think it is a tremendous accomplishment to rear children who see a life for life’s sake as meaningful and complete.

From Washington Post • Mar. 20, 2023

Despairing families were abandoning their farms for the city after crops failed.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 17, 2022

Despairing golfers grumbling about a golf course is nothing new.

From New York Times • Jun. 19, 2015

Despairing, Kira stared through the early dawn at the garden.

From "Gathering Blue" by Lois Lowry

despairing

Example Sentences

Related Words