loss of hope; hopelessness.

someone or something that causes hopelessness

He is the despair of his mother.

to lose, give up, or be without hope (often fol. by of )

to despair of humanity.

Obsolete . to give up hope of.

noun

cheer , cheerfulness , confidence , faith , happiness , hopefulness , joy , joyfulness , trust

verb

anticipate , expect , have faith , hope , wish for

noun

anguish , dashed hopes , dejection , desperation , despondency , discouragement , disheartenment , forlornness , gloom , melancholy , misery , ordeal , pain , sorrow , trial , tribulation , wretchedness , desperateness , despond , despondence , hopelessness , accidie , acedia , cruciality , depression , de profundis , doldrums , futility , inconsolableness , lethargy , megrims

verb

abandon , be hopeless , despond , destroy , drop , flatten , give way , have heavy heart , let air out , lose faith , lose heart , relinquish , renounce , resign , surrender , take down , yield , give up , burden , dejection , depression , desperation , despondency , discouragement , gloom , hopelessness , melancholy , pain