despairing
dɪˈspeərɪŋ
Definition Synonyms

Definition of despairing - Reverso English Dictionary

Adjective

expressionexpressing a lack of hope or expectation
  • His despairing words echoed in the room.
despondent hopeless

Noun

emotionRarestate or outward show of hopelessness or loss of hopeRare
  • His despairing was clear in his voice and actions.
chilling relaxing
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Origin of despairing

Latin, desperare (to lose hope)

Terms with despairing included in their meaning

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hopelessness
in a hopeless or despairing manner

Examples of despairing in a sentence

  • The despairing cries were heard throughout the night.
  • Despairing set in after the final whistle and the missed penalty.
  • She tried to hide her despairing behind jokes at the reunion.

View all translations of despairing

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:désespéré, désespoir, ...
  2. German:verzweifelt, Verzweiflung, ...
  3. Italian:disperato, disperazione, ...
  4. Spanish:desesperado, desesperación, ...
  5. Portuguese:desesperado, desespero, ...
  6. Chinese:绝望的, 绝望, ...
  7. Japanese:絶望的な, 絶望, ...
  8. Arabic:يَائِس, يَأْس, ...
  9. Hebrew:מְיוּאָשׁ, יֵיאוּשׁ, ...
  10. Russian:отчаянный, отчаяние, ...
  11. Ukrainian:відчайдушний, відчай, ...
  12. Hindi:निराशाजनक, निराशा, ...
despair
dɪˈspɛr

Definition of despair - Reverso English Dictionary

Noun

1.
hopelessnesscomplete loss of hope or confidence
  • She was in despair after losing her job.
desperation despondency hopelessness
2.
causeperson or thing causing hopelessness
  • The constant failures were his despair.
desperation hopelessness

Verb

intr.
general senselose all hope or confidence
  • He began to despair when he lost his job..
give up surrender
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Expressions with despair

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cause someone to lose all hope
Her harsh words drove him to despair.
cause someone to feel extreme hopelessness or sadness
The constant criticism drove her to despair.
extreme sadness or hopelessness
She was in the depths of despair after the breakup.
feeling or place showing extreme sadness or hopelessness
After losing his job, he fell into a pit of despair.
cause someone to feel hopeless or without hope
The constant failures reduced him to despair.
recommendation to abandon effort
Her counsel of despair was to stop trying altogether.

Origin of despair

Latin, de (down) + sperare (hope)

Examples of despair in a sentence

  • Despair gripped the nation during the crisis.
  • Her despair was evident after the tragic news.
  • The team's despair grew with each lost game.
  • She began to despair after failing the exam.
  • They started to despair when the rescue team was delayed.

View all translations of despair

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:désespoir, désespérer, ...
  2. German:Verzweiflung, verzweifeln, ...
  3. Italian:disperazione, disperarsi, ...
  4. Spanish:desesperación, desesperarse, ...
  5. Portuguese:desespero, desesperar, ...
  6. Chinese:绝望, 失去信心, ...
  7. Japanese:絶望, 絶望する, ...
  8. Arabic:يَأْس, يئسَ, ...
  9. Hebrew:יֵיאוּשׁ, לְהִתְיַיֵּאֵשׁ, ...
  10. Russian:отчаяние, терять надежду, ...
  11. Ukrainian:відчай, впадати у відчай, ...
  12. Hindi:निराशा, निराश होना, ...

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