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despair

dih-SPAIR /dɪˈspeər/

nounverbB2GRESATTOEFLIELTS

generalliterary

The complete loss or absence of hope; to lose all hope or confidence.

Represents the total collapse of hope, deeper and more profound than sadness.

The story behind the word. Latin sperare gave us hope (as in desperado and prosper). Attached to the negative prefix de-, desperare meant to fall completely away from hope. Passing through Old French into Middle English, despair came to embody the rock-bottom emotional state where no positive future seems imaginable.

Word relationships

hopelessness: Hopelessness is the state of lacking hope; despair is the active, intense suffering from that loss.
desperation: Desperation implies wild, reckless actions out of fear, whereas despair often involves paralyzing grief.

hope: Hope is the expectation and desire for positive outcomes.
optimism: Optimism is a general confidence in future success.

Commonly confused with

desperation: Desperation drives frantic action; despair leads to helpless grief or numbness.

Word family

despairing (adjective): Showing or feeling despair.
despairingly (adverb): In a manner filled with despair.

Collocations

depths of despair
plunge into despair
cry of despair
driven to despair

Idioms & expressions

at the end of one's rope
no light at the end of the tunnel

Example sentences

"In his deepest despair, he found strength he did not know he possessed." Literary narrative
"Refugees faced extreme despair as winter approached without adequate shelter." Humanitarian report

Memory hook

DE-SPAIR = DIS-PAIR: You are separated from all hope. Falling completely away from hope.

When not to use

Do not use for mild disappointment; despair is absolute emotional rock bottom.

Fun facts

In Dante's Inferno, the famous inscription over the gates of Hell reads: 'Abandon all hope, ye who enter here'—the quintessential definition of despair.