Despair Meaning and Definition
Despair
Pronunciation
/dɪsˈpɛər/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A feeling of profound disappointment, sadness, or hopelessness, often resulting from a loss or failure.
Examples
- The news of her firing left him in a state of despair.
- The weather forecast filled her with despair as she had planned an outdoor wedding.
Synonyms
- Despondency
- Hopelessness
- Sorrow
Antonyms
- Hope
- Optimism
Etymology
The word “Despair” has its roots in Old French “despaired”, which is derived from Latin “desperare”, meaning “to lose hope”.
Usage Notes
Despair is often used to describe a strong feeling of hopelessness, which can be a response to a variety of situations, including loss, failure, or setback.
Cultural References
Despair has been a recurring theme in literature, music, and art throughout history, often symbolizing a loss of hope or a sense of desperation.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- To lose all hope
- To give up the ghost
- To throw in the towel
Related Words or Phrases
- Despondency
- Hopelessness
- Sorrow
- Loss
- Failure
Collocations
- Feelings of despair
- A sense of despair
- Overwhelmed with despair
Frequency of Use
Despair is a relatively common word in modern language, often used to describe a range of emotional responses to challenging situations.
Common Misspellings
- Despare
- Despir
- Despire