marked by or resulting from despair; hopeless or desperate
Derived forms
despairingly (desˈpairingly)
adverb
despairing in American English
(dɪˈspɛrɪŋ)
adjective
feeling or showing despair; hopeless
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈhopeless
Derived forms
despairingly (deˈspairingly)
adverb
despairing in American English
(dɪˈspɛərɪŋ)
adjective
1.
given to despair or hopelessness
2.
indicating despair
a despairing look
Derived forms
despairingly
adverb
Word origin
[1585–95; despair + -ing2]This word is first recorded in the period 1585–95. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: corridor, filament, puzzle, scuff, switch-ing is a suffix forming the present participle of verbs (walking; thinking), such participles being often used as participial adjectives (warring factions)
Examples of 'despairing' in a sentence
despairing
It is a world of fleeting and haunting memories, despairing hopes and uncanny epiphanies.
The Times Literary Supplement (2010)
His despairing grandmother clutches a photograph of them in her calloused hands.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In that despairing first half he deserted the gain-line and all attacking intent.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
He's witty, cynical and despairing, but never less than entertaining.
Times, Sunday Times (2018)
But it is disingenuous to throw up despairing hands now.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
He was 'now despondent and despairing, bewildered and confused'.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Don't project dark imaginings into the future or become hopeless and despairing.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Synonyms of 'despairing'
hopeless, desperate, depressed, anxious
More Synonyms of despairing
(adjective)
a despairing couple who turned to a therapist for help
Synonyms
hopeless
Even able pupils feel hopeless about job prospects.
desperate
Her people were poor, desperate and starving.
depressed
He seemed somewhat depressed.
anxious
miserable
She went to bed, miserable and depressed.
frantic
dismal
You can't occupy yourself with dismal thoughts all the time.
suicidal
melancholy
It was at this time of day that I felt most melancholy.
dejected
Everyone has days when they feel dejected or down.
broken-hearted
despondent
He often felt despondent after these meetings.
downcast
a glum, downcast expression
grief-stricken
The Queen was grief-stricken over his death.
wretched
The wretched look on the dog's face melted his heart.
disconsolate
I was disconsolate when the relationship ended.
inconsolable
When my mother died I was inconsolable.
down in the dumps (informal)
at the end of your tether
Additional synonyms
in the sense of dejected
Definition
in low spirits
Everyone has days when they feel dejected or down.