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.

Tippett, a former NHS England boss who led on personalised care, told the BBC the result was "despairing".

From BBC • May 19, 2026

Mr. Page expresses such deep, despairing horror that, for a few minutes at least, this minor tragedy rises to heights of harrowing feeling.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Dunk, though wounded and despairing of Baelor’s death, wins his trial and becomes a legend that characters in “A Song of Ice and Fire” recall as a true knight.

From Salon • Feb. 25, 2026

But Nina soon found herself despairing, once she realized she could not leave her hiding place.

From Barron's • Feb. 2, 2026

Unfortunately, I got distracted by the teacher’s despairing cry.

From "Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie" by Jordan Sonnenblick

despairing

Example Sentences

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