- present participle of despair.
despairing
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.
Crowther shares a few scraps of despairing, Plathian verse, but almost entirely neglects her unfinished posthumous memoir, published in 1974 as “My Story.”
From Los Angeles Times ● May 25, 2026
With the tiring Sale defence in disarray, Malins fed Calouri on the wing to dive over Warr's despairing tackle to leave Sharks boss Alex Sanderson with much to consider at the break.
From BBC ● Apr. 19, 2026
As wars multiply, Pope Leo’s aides aren’t despairing about the possibilities of diplomacy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 21, 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
I would not, under any circumstances, seem despairing or even disappointed to my captors.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
