French word

désespoir

Pronunciation

IPA/dezɛspwaʁ/

Meaning

  • masculine noundespair

Example

Elle est tombée dans le désespoir.

She fell into despair.

Illustration for désespoir (despair)

More examples

Il a poussé un cri de désespoir.

He let out a cry of despair.

Core concept

A person lets go of every plan and sinks into a state with no expected way forward.

Common phrases

  • un cri de désespoir

    a cry of despair

  • un sentiment de désespoir

    a feeling of despair

  • exprimer son désespoir

    express one's despair

Similar words

tristesse: A sustained state of sadness after something painful has happened.
peine: Sorrowful distress that makes the heart feel heavy and sore.
découragement: Discouragement caused by hardship or exhaustion, making effort feel pointless.
chagrin: Painful sorrow or regret that dampens the mood.

Definition in French

Sentiment intense d'absence totale d'espérance, souvent accompagné d'une envie de renoncer ou d'une perte de volonté d'agir.

Word origin

French formed désespoir from des- and espoir, "hope," while espoir continues a Latin family related to sperare, "to hope."

Usage tips

  • Désespoir denotes a much stronger state than ordinary discouragement, for which découragement or avoir le moral à zéro is often more suitable.

Other meanings

  • desperationnoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word