Dictionary
despairing
adjective de·spair·ing
: feeling very sad and without hope : showing or feeling despair
Full Definition of DESPAIRING
: given to, arising from, or marked by despair : devoid of hope
— de·spair·ing·ly \-iŋ-lē\ adverb
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First Known Use of DESPAIRING
1589
Related to DESPAIRING
- Synonyms
- bearish, defeatist, pessimistic, downbeat, hopeless
- Antonyms
- hopeful, optimistic, Panglossian, Pollyanna, Pollyannaish (also Polyannish), rose-colored, rosy, upbeat
Synonym Discussion of DESPAIRING
despondent, despairing, desperate, hopeless mean having lost all or nearly all hope. despondent implies a deep dejection arising from a conviction of the uselessness of further effort <despondent about yet another rejection>. despairing suggests the slipping away of all hope and often despondency <despairing appeals for the return of the kidnapped child>. desperate implies despair that prompts reckless action or violence in the face of defeat or frustration <one last desperate attempt to turn the tide of battle>. hopeless suggests despair and the cessation of effort or resistance and often implies acceptance or resignation <the situation of the trapped miners is hopeless>.
DESPAIRING Defined for Kids
despairing
adjective de·spair·ing \di-ˈsper-iŋ\
Definition of DESPAIRING for Kids
: having or showing no hope <a despairing voice>
— de·spair·ing·ly adverb
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