Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- adjective Characterized by or resulting from despair; hopeless.
from The Century Dictionary.
- Prone to despair or lose hope: as, a despairing disposition.
- Characterized by or indicating despair: as, a despairing cry.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- adjective Feeling or expressing despair; hopeless.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- adjective Feeling, expressing, or caused by
despair ;hopeless . - verb Present participle of
despair .
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- adjective arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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Tenderfeet, with ten pounds of Colt's revolvers, cartridges, and hunting-knives belted about them, wandered valiantly up the trail, and crept back softly, shedding revolvers, cartridges, and knives in despairing showers.
CHAPTER I 2010
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She is animatedruns and tries to force the door, but ineffectuallyagain despairing, is crossing the stage, her hands clasped together, and uplifted eyes, observes the key hanging at the top of wing, R.H. Convinced of its being the key, runs towards itfinds it impossible to reach itsteps upon the chair, and upon the tablestill finds she cannot reach itturns for the ladder, finds it secured.
Obi Pantomime Act II, Obi, Praxis Series, Romantic Circles 2002
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"Being past hope," or despairing, is the reading of the Vulgate; though not so well supported as English Version reading, "past feeling," which includes the absence of hope (Jer 2: 25; 18: 12). given themselves over -- In Ro 1: 24 it is, "God gave them up to uncleanness."
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And some have said, that Judas sinned more in despairing of the mercy of God, than in betraying his Master's blood.
Commentary on the Whole Bible Volume V (Matthew to John) 1721
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I’m with you in despairing as to the abilities of these morons.
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I can't remember the last time I wrote a story which could be described as despairing, he said.
Archive 2006-02-01 Ann Althouse 2006
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It recalled the despairing Congregation to a mood of resolute trust and hope.
John Knox A. Taylor Innes
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"Hullo, is that you, Kate?" called a despairing voice.
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"Miss Neilson, please," called the despairing voice of one of the earth-bound fairies; "Miss Neilson, you are there, aren't you?"
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"Hullo, is that you, Kate?" called a despairing voice.
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