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.

See Examples For:

hopeless

And one from financial company Schroders says even most workers who are participating in company retirement plans think the math is almost hopeless.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 17, 2026

Later, recounting his fruitless sessions with his hopeless catechumen, Father Mowbray tells the matriarch how he tried to explain to Mottram the concept of papal infallibility:

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026

“If you’re feeling helpless, if you’re feeling hopeless, if you’re feeling betrayed, if you’re feeling frustrated, if you’re feeling angry, I understand,” Springsteen said.

From Salon ● May 29, 2026

"Whether she is dead or alive, we do not know. I'm hopeless," she added.

From Barron's ● May 28, 2026

Besides, the world was full of miserable places just like the central plateau, all of them hopeless.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French

hopeless

Example Sentences

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