Despair Meaning
/dɪˈspɛə(ɹ)/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo give up as beyond hope or expectation; to despair of.
verbTo cause to despair.
Sentence Examples
You left me in despair.
The leader gave up the plan in despair.
She was filled with despair after losing her dream job.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
After losing his job, he fell into deep ____ and could not see a way out.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
You left me in ____.
Word Origin & History
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”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"I would not despair the greatest design that could be attempted."
— 1644, John Milton, Areopagitica; a Speech of Mr. John Milton for the Liberty of Unlicenc’d Printing, to the Parlament of England, London: [s.n.], →OCLC:
"I sometimes despair of getting anything quite simple and honest done in this world by the help of men."
— 1854 August 9, Henry D[avid] Thoreau, “Economy”, in Walden; or, Life in the Woods, Boston, Mass.: Ticknor and Fields, →OCLC:
"Thinking of what I was despairing about despaired me further"
— 2019, Tim Dee, Landfill:
"We despaired even of life."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 2 Corinthians 1:8:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
After losing his job, he fell into deep ____ and could not see a way out.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
You left me in ____.