HOPELESSNESS Synonyms: 77 Similar and Opposite Words

hopelessness

noun

Definition of hopelessness

as in desperation

utter loss of hope the fans' hopelessness was dispelled as their team mounted a comeback

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Recent Examples of hopelessness In that sense, the dead-end setting of their journey across a volatile landscape in which humans might be an afterthought seems to reflect their hopelessness. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026 What could that dirt road and the horizon beyond it mean—hope or hopelessness? — Hilton Als, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 According to 2025 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a third of youth have persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness — about 10% more than a decade earlier. — Darius Tahir, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026 Corruption across the political divide Much of this year’s fatigue traces back to a sense of hopelessness over systemic corruption, which ranks among voters’ biggest concerns, yet neither camp can claim the issue as its own, say experts. — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026 Women are more likely than men to report severe depression and hopelessness following breakups, but men are three to four times more likely to commit suicide. — George Loewenstein, Vogue, 28 Sep. 2026 In interviews with The Post, current and former detainees described frequent fights and feelings of hopelessness. — Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 27 Sep. 2026 This year's report finds that levels of persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness among high schoolers have fallen in recent years – from 42% in 2021, to 40% in 2023 and 33% in 2025. — Rhitu Chatterjee, NPR, 23 Sep. 2026 Understanding the scope of human suffering and hopelessness in our world stirs a strong internal conflict between empathy and pragmatism. — Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 23 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopelessness

Noun

Both teams now limp into Saturday's game in Austin with bruised bodies and egos, and carrying a whiff of desperation for a win to keep the season from unraveling.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
Brown and her relatives say the fallen officer tragedy has reignited their trauma and desperation for justice.

— Liz Crawford, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of desperation

Noun

There was a moment this week when tears of sadness gave way to elation for one California couple.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
The local journalists who cover the Bend community every day were not immune from the grief and sadness after today’s deadly shooting of children at an elementary school.

— Phil Helsel, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of sadness

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hopeless

hopelessness

hopes

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“Hopelessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopelessness. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of hopelessness

noun

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