The word ‘Despair’ (Noun) refers to a complete lack of hope or confidence. It describes a powerful feeling of hopelessness and defeat, where you feel there is no solution or escape from difficulties. In this guide, you’ll learn the full definition, synonyms, antonyms, etymology, and real-life examples of how to use ‘Despair’ correctly in sentences.
Despair Explained in Depth
A complete and detailed guide to the word Despair including meaning, definition, examples, etymology, synonyms, and antonyms.
Meanings of Despair
Despair is a feeling of complete loss of hope. It’s an emotional state where you feel that nothing good can happen, and there’s no way to improve your situation. It’s often overwhelming, leaving you feeling trapped and without any sense of optimism.
For example, someone who’s faced repeated failures might feel a deep sense of despair, believing they will never succeed. Or, in a story, a character might experience despair after losing something precious, like a loved one or a lifelong dream.
Definition
Despair refer a complete lack of hope or confidence. It describes a powerful feeling of hopelessness and defeat, where you feel there is no solution or escape from difficulties. It can be short-term or long-lasting, depending on the situation.
For instance, after a series of setbacks, a person might sink into despair, believing there’s no way to recover or find happiness again.
Etymology
The word “despair” comes from the Middle English despeiren, from Old French desperer, which came from Latin desperare—to
lose hope.
- de- meaning “without” or “down from”
- sperare meaning “to hope”
So, “despair” literally means “to be without hope.” Over time, it evolved into the powerful emotional state we recognize today.
Example Sentences
- After months of searching for a job without success, she fell into a deep despair.
- The villagers faced the drought with a sense of despair, as all their crops withered away.
- In the hero’s darkest hour, despair nearly overcame his will to fight on.
Despair Synonyms
- Hopelessness
- Misery
- Desperation
- Anguish
- Gloom
- Dejection
- Despondency
- Depression
- Sorrow
- Discouragement
Despair Antonyms
- Hope
- Optimism
- Confidence
- Assurance
- Faith
- Cheerfulness
- Encouragement
- Relief
- Comfort
- Resilience
FAQs about Despair
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the word “Despair”
- What does “despair” actually mean?
is the feeling of complete hopelessness and the belief that nothing can improve or get better. - Is despair always a long-term feeling?No, it can be a temporary reaction to a setback, or it can be a deep, persistent feeling in some situations.
- Can “despair” be used in a positive way?Generally, “despair” is negative and doesn’t have a positive usage. However, facing despair can sometimes lead to growth or transformation
when a person overcomes it. - How is “despair” different from “sadness”?“Sadness” is a more general term for feeling down or unhappy, while “despair” is a much deeper sense of hopelessness.
- Can I use “despair” in casual conversation?Yes, but it’s a strong word. People might use it for dramatic effect or to describe very intense situations, rather than everyday sadness.