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.

"It's about a moment in your life when you think everything is over and you feel hopeless," explains singer Viktoria Leléka.

From BBC • May 8, 2026

First he moved the hopeless cases — frames dented, forks bent, gears rusted — into one room and their cousins the wheelchairs into another, leaving about 90 that could be saved.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

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

“I just saw an advertisement posted in a shop window about a new home for hopeless children—the Protestant Orphan Asylum, I believe it’s called. But I’ve had no time to pay a visit.”

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan

hopeless

Example Sentences

Related Words