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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective hopeless differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of hopeless are despairing, desperate, and despondent. While all these words mean "having lost all or nearly all hope," hopeless suggests despair and the cessation of effort or resistance and often implies acceptance or resignation.

the situation of the trapped miners is hopeless

When is despairing a more appropriate choice than hopeless?

The meanings of despairing and hopeless largely overlap; however, despairing suggests the slipping away of all hope and often despondency.

despairing appeals for the return of the kidnapped child

In what contexts can desperate take the place of hopeless?

While the synonyms desperate and hopeless are close in meaning, desperate implies despair that prompts reckless action or violence in the face of defeat or frustration.

one last desperate attempt to turn the tide of battle

When can despondent be used instead of hopeless?

While in some cases nearly identical to hopeless, despondent implies a deep dejection arising from a conviction of the uselessness of further effort.

despondent about yet another rejection

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hopeless This memoir-manifesto could be seen as hopeless, and there is certainly no shortage of carnage in its pages. Andrew R. Chow, Time, 6 June 2025 Those who are convinced they’re trapped stay helpless and hopeless. Amy Morin, CNBC, 12 June 2025 In a world where the powerful increasingly act with impunity, taking fictional villains to task makes sense, a form of Hollywood wish fulfillment for those who feel stuck or hopeless. Whitney Friedlander, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2025 Most people’s writing or public speaking is pointless, endless, and hopeless. Eli Amdur, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for hopeless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopeless
Adjective
  • Finally, after more than a month of agony, her allergist diagnosed her with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) — an incurable condition marked by hives that last six weeks or longer, with no definitive cause or trigger.
    Diane Herbst, People.com, 11 July 2025
  • Due to the contagious nature of the incurable disease, when it's detected, standard practice is to humanely kill all affected and exposed poultry.
    Elizabeth B. Kim, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Adjective
  • Created by cartoonist Jim Davis, the Garfield comic strip debuted in June 1978 and follows the cynical and lazy orange cat and his interactions with his owner, Jon Arbuckle, and fellow pet Odie, the lovable dog.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 8 July 2025
  • The cynical view would be that Trump is looking for a reason to have federal troops join ICE in rounding up undocumented immigrants that Mamdani tries to protect, and to arrest local officials who get in their way.
    Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • Nowadays, both men and women are serving faster than ever before, with players regularly reaching service speeds that were once thought to be nearly impossible.
    Ben Church, CNN Money, 8 July 2025
  • No sign yet of the Qualcomm fixes from last month which triggered a U.S. government update mandate for federal staff, with a deadline that was impossible to hit.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • Since federal immigration raids, primarily targeting Latino communities, began roiling Los Angeles in early June, animal rescues and care providers across the county are hearing desperate pleas for help.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2025
  • Over the past few days, Sheppard has become a teacher and leader for a collection of players desperate to crack the end of a tight Rockets rotation.
    Kelly Iko, New York Times, 12 July 2025
Adjective
  • People are despairing over the Supreme Court and its deference to the president.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2025
  • Alcaraz swung slice serves past a despairing Lehečka’s forehand, while the Czech’s deliveries leapt up off the grass, contorting Alcaraz into uncomfortable return positions.
    James Hansen, New York Times, 22 June 2025
Adjective
  • That's the sad reality facing many dogs in the wider shelter system.
    Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025
  • Sinner plowed through an ailing Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-3, 6-4, in a match that could serve as a sad, unfortunate coda to one of the most remarkable grass careers in tennis history.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • Just 19 per cent are optimistic about the wider UK economy over the next year, versus 63 per cent who are pessimistic – even though 69 per cent remain upbeat about their own firms.
    Philip Salter, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • Veteran workers, in contrast, are more pessimistic about the tools and the impact of AI on their jobs, according to surveys.
    John Kell, Fortune, 2 July 2025
Adjective
  • That's become a new line of attack for the Trump administration, which is already unhappy with the Fed for not moving more aggressively to lower interest rates.
    Scott Horsley, NPR, 14 July 2025
  • Speculation is that Ferrari is unhappy with Vasseur's performance, although these rumors have been shut down by Vasseur, Lewis Hamilton, and Charles Leclerc.
    Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Hopeless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopeless. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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