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.

"We felt hopeless," says Holm-Aderemi, describing how they took turns carrying out searches of the streets themselves.

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

But today I am tasked with the seemingly simpler but hopeless job of putting life back into writing.

From Slate • Mar. 20, 2026

Plus, the “Sing Sing” and “Euphoria” actor has advice for hopeless romantics.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

MarketWatch Picks: My situation ‘seems hopeless since I live in California.’

From MarketWatch • Feb. 24, 2026

Everywhere things seem as hopeless as my neighborhood.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman