despair — English Dictionary

Verb

1. To give up as beyond hope or expectation; to despair of.

   Usage

   • Obsolete
   • Transitive

   Examples

   I would not despair the greatest design that could be attempted.

   I sometimes despair of getting anything quite simple and honest done in this world by the help of men.

2. To cause to despair.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   Thinking of what I was despairing about despaired me further

3. To be hopeless; to have no hope; to give up all hope or expectation.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

   Examples

   We despaired even of life.

Noun

1. Loss of hope; utter hopelessness; complete despondency.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Synonyms

   desperationdespondencyhopelessness

   Antonyms

   hoperespair

   Examples

   He turned around in despair, aware that he was not going to survive.

   My daughter's behavior drives me to despair.

2. That which causes despair.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

3. That which is despaired of.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

Noun

1. a state in which all hope is lost or absent

   Synonyms

   desperation

   Broader terms

   conditionstatus

   Examples

   in the depths of despair

   they were rescued from despair at the last minute

   More examples (1)

   courage born of desperation

2. the feeling that everything is wrong and nothing will turn out well

   Antonyms

   hope

   Broader terms

   feeling

   Examples

   they moaned in despair and dismay

   one harsh word would send her into the depths of despair

Verb

1. abandon hope; give up hope; lose heart

   Antonyms

   hope

   Broader terms

   feelexperience

   Examples

   Don't despair — help is on the way!