Definition of DESPAIR

despair

Meanings

Plural: despairs

Noun

  • a state in which all hope is lost or absent
    • "in the depths of despair"
    • "they were rescued from despair at the last minute"
  • the feeling that everything is wrong and nothing will turn out well
    • "they moaned in despair and dismay"
    • "one harsh word would send her into the depths of despair"
  • Loss of hope; utter hopelessness; complete despondency.
  • That which causes despair.
  • That which is despaired of.

Verb

  • abandon hope; give up hope; lose heart
    • "Don't despair--help is on the way!"
  • To give up as beyond hope or expectation; to despair of.
  • To cause to despair.
  • To be hopeless; to have no hope; to give up all hope or expectation.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English dispeir, from Anglo-Norman despeir and Old French desperer (from Latin dēspērō, dēspērāre), or desesperer, from des- (“dis-”) + esperer (“hope”). See also desperate. Displaced native Old English ormōdnes (“despair”) and Old English ortrīewan (“to despair”).

Antonyms

hope, respair

Scrabble Score: 10

despair is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
despair is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
despair is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 11

despair is a valid Words With Friends word