German word

Verzweiflung

Pronunciation

IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈtsvaɪ̯flʊŋ/

Meaning

  • feminine noundespair

Example

Er war in der Verzweiflung.

He was in despair.

Illustration for Verzweiflung (despair)

More examples

Trotz allem versuchte sie gegen die Verzweiflung anzukämpfen.

Despite everything, she tried to fight against despair.

Core concept

A person sees no way forward and feels driven toward extreme action.

Common phrases

  • gegen die Verzweiflung ankämpfen

    fight against despair

  • ein Gefühl der Verzweiflung

    a feeling of despair

  • aus tiefer Verzweiflung

    out of deep despair

Similar words

Hoffnungslosigkeit: A state of having lost hope and no longer expecting anything from the future.
Hilflosigkeit: A feeling of being unable to change things alone and needing help.
Ausweglosigkeit: A sense that every option is blocked and no course of action remains.
Resignation: An attitude of giving up resistance and passively accepting what happens.

Definition in German

Ein heftiges Gefühl der Hoffnungslosigkeit, das so stark sein kann, dass es zu verzweifelten Handlungen führt.

Word origin

The noun Verzweiflung is formed from the verb verzweifeln with the suffix -ung, while verzweifeln is based on Zweifel, meaning doubt.

Usage tips

  • Verzweiflung is feminine, so phrases such as in der Verzweiflung and aus Verzweiflung use feminine dative forms.

Other meanings

  • desperationnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • Verzweiflungsgefühlfeeling of despairnoun
  • verzweifelnddespairingadjective

Word lists with this word