despair

Pluraldespairs (some meanings)

Formsdespairs, despairing, despaired

1. 1
   hopeless feelingnoununcountable

   The complete loss of hope; a state of utter hopelessness.

   Years of failed harvests drove many farmers to despair.

   A note of despair crept into his voice as the search dragged on.

   UsageOften in despair and drive someone to despair.

   Similarhopelessness, despondency, desperation

   Oppositehope

   Note

   It pushed out the native Old English word ormōdnes, and it sits close to despondency and desperation. Hope is its plain opposite, and respair is a much rarer one. Source

   Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 1 fact

   • Despair displaced the native Old English word ormōdnes. en.wiktionary.org
2. 2
   lose hopeverbintransitive

   To lose all hope, or give up expecting something, often with of.

   Doctors had almost despaired of saving her when the fever finally broke.

   Many voters despair of ever seeing an honest government.

   UsageUsually despair of + noun or -ing: despair of ever seeing change.

   Oppositehope

3. 3
   nounusually singular

   A person or thing that causes despair or is regarded as hopeless.

   With his endless excuses, the boy was the despair of every teacher he had.

   Crabgrass is the despair of every suburban gardener.

   UsageUsually the despair of someone: the despair of every teacher.

   Similarbane, curse, nightmare, scourge

   Oppositedelight, joy

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