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Definitions

hopeless

[hohp-lis] / ˈhoʊp lɪs /
ADJECTIVE
futile, pessimistic
Synonyms
STRONGEST
desperate forlorn helpless impossible pointless sad tragic useless
WEAK
bad beyond recall cynical dejected demoralized despairing despondent disconsolate discouraging downhearted fatal gone goner ill-fated impracticable in despair incurable irredeemable irreparable irreversible irrevocable lost menacing no-win past hope shot down sinister sunk threatening unachievable unavailing unfortunate unmitigable up the creek vain woebegone worsening
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cheerful good happy hopeful joyful
WEAK
auspicious bright encouraging expectant optimistic promising propitious rosy

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.

Is this a hopeless situation that we should simply accept and walk away from?

From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026

After one too many summer months of hopeless applications, all I had was a job at a substitute-teaching agency, where I would be lucky to get work three days a week.

From Slate • Mar. 20, 2026

The quality of it was overshadowed only by Verstappen's even more impressive rise from a seemingly hopeless position at the end of the summer.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

Maybe I’m betraying my hopeless rationalism, but if I learned of the reality of time travel and “aerial spirits,” I’d be a little more preoccupied by it than Iris seems to be.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

The cause the forces of good are fighting to defend against the forces of evil is hopeless.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton