French word

désespéré

Pronunciation

IPA/dezɛspeʁe/

Meaning

  • adjectivedesperate

Example

Je suis désespéré.

I am desperate.

Illustration for désespéré (desperate)

More examples

Après la mauvaise nouvelle, il a poussé un cri désespéré.

After the bad news, he let out a desperate cry.

Core concept

A dark horizon with no visible foothold for hope.

Common phrases

  • être désespéré

    be desperate

  • se sentir désespéré

    feel desperate

  • un cri désespéré

    a desperate cry

Similar words

découragé: Lacking the motivation or courage to keep going.
déprimé: Persistently low in mood, energy, and interest.
abattu: Crushed and visibly drained after a painful or difficult experience.
accablé: Overwhelmed by heavy burdens or worries and unable to cope well.

Definition in French

Qui a perdu tout espoir et ne croit plus en une solution.

Word origin

The French verb désespérer developed from Latin desperare, whose elements de- and sperare express the loss of hope found in désespéré.

Usage tips

  • Je suis désespéré is a very strong statement, while je suis découragé usually describes ordinary discouragement rather than total hopelessness.

Other meanings

  • distraughtadjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word