despair
Despair is a very sad feeling.
When you feel despair, you have no hope.
It means you think things will not get better.
You feel like there is no way to fix a problem.
It's like feeling very, very down and stuck.
स्तर के अनुसार उदाहरण
The team fell into despair after losing the final match.
Zespół pogrążył się w rozpaczy po przegraniu finałowego meczu.
Here, 'despair' is used as a noun, the object of the preposition 'into'.
She began to despair of ever finding a new job.
Zaczęła rozpaczać, że nigdy nie znajdzie nowej pracy.
Here, 'despair' is used as a verb, followed by the preposition 'of' and a gerund.
His face showed a look of utter despair.
Jego twarz wyrażała absolutną rozpacz.
In this sentence, 'despair' is a noun, modified by the adjective 'utter'.
Don't despair, things will get better soon.
Nie rozpaczaj, wkrótce wszystko się poprawi.
Here, 'despair' is used as an imperative verb, giving a command or advice.
The refugees were filled with despair as they left their homes.
Uchodźcy byli przepełnieni rozpaczą, gdy opuszczali swoje domy.
Here, 'despair' is a noun, part of the phrase 'filled with despair'.
He was starting to despair about the future of his country.
Zaczynał rozpaczać nad przyszłością swojego kraju.
In this sentence, 'despair' is a verb, followed by the preposition 'about'.
Despite the bad news, she tried not to give in to despair.
Mimo złych wiadomości, starała się nie poddawać rozpaczy.
Here, 'despair' is a noun, the object of the prepositional phrase 'to give in to'.
Many people despair when they lose their loved ones.
Wiele osób rozpacza, gdy traci swoich bliskich.
Here, 'despair' is used as a verb in the present simple tense.
The sheer despair in her eyes was palpable after she received the devastating news about the loss of her home.
The word 'palpable' here emphasizes that the despair was so intense it could almost be felt.
Using 'sheer' before 'despair' intensifies the noun.
Despite the team's initial despair after the crushing defeat, they found a way to rally and perform exceptionally in the next match.
This sentence illustrates how despair can be a temporary state that can be overcome.
The preposition 'despite' shows a contrast between the despair and their subsequent action.
He was on the brink of despair, feeling completely isolated and overwhelmed by the mounting financial problems.
'On the brink of despair' is a common idiom meaning very close to feeling despair.
The phrase 'on the brink of' is followed by a noun or gerund.
The documentary depicted the profound despair of refugees who had lost everything in the conflict.
'Profound' signifies a deep and intense level of despair.
Adjectives like 'profound' can be used to describe the intensity of 'despair'.
To despair over something is to lose all hope and succumb to a feeling of helplessness.
This sentence defines the verb 'to despair' in a more abstract way.
When 'despair' is used as a verb, it is often followed by 'over' or 'of'.
She despaired of ever finding a solution to the complex problem, feeling her efforts were futile.
Here, 'despaired of' means she lost hope in finding a solution.
Using 'despaired of' emphasizes the object or situation causing the loss of hope.
The artist often channeled his personal despair into his work, creating emotionally charged and evocative pieces.
'Channeled... into' indicates a transformation of emotion into creative output.
The verb 'channel' suggests directing an emotion or energy towards a particular outlet.
In moments of deep despair, it's crucial to remember that support systems are available and that feelings can change.
This sentence offers a supportive perspective on dealing with despair.
The phrase 'in moments of' is used to refer to specific periods of time.
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
10 सवालAs a noun, 'despair' refers to the feeling itself – a complete loss of hope. For example, 'She felt a deep sense of despair.' As a verb, 'despair' means to lose or give up hope. For example, 'He began to despair after many rejections.'
Certainly! You could say, 'Despite the challenging circumstances, she refused to fall into despair.' Or, as a verb, 'He started to despair that he would ever find a solution.'
Yes, it is quite a strong word. It implies a very deep and profound sense of hopelessness, often to the point of feeling that there is no possibility of improvement or escape from a bad situation.
Good question! Some synonyms for the noun 'despair' include hopelessness, dejection, and gloom. For the verb, you could use give up hope, lose heart, or be despondent.
The opposite of 'despair' would be words like hope, optimism, or encouragement.
That's an interesting thought! While we can't definitively say animals feel despair in the same complex way humans do, they can certainly show signs of extreme sadness, depression, and a lack of will to live when in difficult situations, which can be seen as analogous to despair.
While 'despair' involves sadness, it's a more intense and absolute feeling. Sadness is a general emotion, but despair implies a complete absence of hope, making it a much deeper and more overwhelming state than just being sad.
Yes, a common phrase is 'in despair,' meaning feeling extremely hopeless. For example, 'He was in despair after losing his job and home.'
'Despair' is listed as a CEFR B1 word. This means it's generally understood by intermediate English learners.
No, 'despair' almost exclusively carries a negative connotation. It's associated with extreme hopelessness and is not typically used in a positive context.
खुद को परखो 30 सवाल
This sentence talks about feeling sad.
This sentence talks about feeling happy.
This sentence talks about feeling unhappy.
Read this aloud:
I am happy.
Focus: happy
तुमने कहा:
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Read this aloud:
He is sad.
Focus: sad
तुमने कहा:
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Read this aloud:
She feels good.
Focus: good
तुमने कहा:
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Which of these words has a similar meaning to 'despair'?
Despair is a feeling of hopelessness, which is closely related to sadness.
After losing his job, he felt a deep sense of ______ about his future.
Losing a job can lead to a feeling of hopelessness about the future.
Which situation would most likely cause someone to feel despair?
A serious, incurable illness can lead to a complete loss of hope, which is despair.
If you are in despair, you feel very hopeful about the future.
Despair is the complete loss or absence of hope, so this statement is false.
Someone in despair believes that their difficult situation cannot get any better.
Despair describes a state of mind where someone feels that a situation is so bad that it is impossible to improve or overcome.
The word 'despair' can be used as both a noun and a verb.
The word 'despair' can function as both a noun (e.g., 'a feeling of despair') and a verb (e.g., 'to despair over something').
This order creates a grammatically correct and meaningful sentence describing a feeling of despair.
This order forms a coherent sentence showing resilience in the face of difficulties.
This arrangement creates a common idiom meaning to avoid becoming hopeless.
The artist, plagued by unremitting creative block, eventually succumbed to a profound sense of ___ that permeated every aspect of his existence.
The context of 'unremitting creative block' and 'permeated every aspect of his existence' strongly suggests a negative and overwhelming emotional state, making 'despair' the most fitting choice.
Despite the relentless setbacks and the looming threat of financial ruin, she refused to ___ and continued to fight for her company's survival with unwavering resolve.
The phrase 'refused to' indicates a negative action that would typically be associated with giving up hope in the face of difficulties. 'Despair' perfectly captures this meaning.
The protagonist's journey through the desolate wasteland was a descent into utter ___, each step bringing him closer to the abyss of hopelessness.
The words 'desolate wasteland' and 'abyss of hopelessness' create a strong thematic link to a state of profound hopelessness, for which 'despair' is the most suitable synonym.
Faced with the insurmountable challenge of reversing climate change, many scientists occasionally grapple with moments of ___, questioning the efficacy of their efforts.
The phrase 'insurmountable challenge' and 'questioning the efficacy of their efforts' implies a feeling of hopelessness or loss of hope, making 'despair' the appropriate term.
The ancient prophecy spoke of a time when the world would be plunged into an era of profound ___, a period of darkness and utter hopelessness.
The descriptors 'darkness and utter hopelessness' directly define 'despair,' making it the most accurate word to complete the sentence.
Despite the outwardly stoic facade, an undercurrent of deep ___ ran through his every action, a subtle sign of the burdens he secretly carried.
The contrast with 'stoic facade' and the mention of 'burdens he secretly carried' suggest a hidden, negative emotional state. 'Despair' fits this context as an internal struggle with hopelessness.
Compose a short narrative (150-200 words) where a character experiences profound despair but ultimately finds a glimmer of hope. Focus on vivid descriptions of their emotional state and the subtle shift towards optimism. Use 'despair' as both a noun and a verb at least once.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Elara felt a crushing despair settle over her, a tangible weight that pressed her down into the cold, hard ground. The news had been devastating, stripping away every last vestige of her former life. She found herself despairing over the future, a bleak, unyielding expanse stretching before her. Days bled into weeks, each one a testament to her profound sorrow. Yet, a tiny seed of defiance began to sprout. A chance encounter with an old friend, a brief, shared smile, sparked a flicker. It wasn't a grand revelation, but a quiet, almost imperceptible shift. The darkness hadn't vanished, but a sliver of light had pierced through, offering a fragile promise of renewal. She wasn't free from the shadow, but the hope, however nascent, was there.
Write a critical analysis (200-250 words) of how an author (choose one from classic literature, e.g., Shakespeare, Dickens, Dostoevsky) portrays 'despair' in a specific work. Discuss the literary devices used and the impact on the reader. Ensure you use advanced vocabulary and complex sentence structures.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
In Shakespeare's 'Hamlet,' the titular character's descent into profound despair is meticulously crafted through a masterful deployment of soliloquies, which serve as windows into his tormented psyche. The famous 'To be or not to be' monologue, for instance, encapsulates his existential crisis and the crushing weight of his circumstances, presenting despair not merely as an emotion but as a philosophical quandary. Shakespeare employs vivid imagery, such as 'slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,' to externalize Hamlet's internal turmoil, allowing the audience to viscerally comprehend the depth of his hopelessness. The repeated contemplation of suicide underscores the absolute nadir of his emotional state, and the deliberate use of archaic diction further amplifies the gravity and timelessness of his suffering. This sophisticated portrayal of despair transcends mere sadness, delving into the very fabric of human suffering and its potential to cripple the will, leaving a lasting impression of tragic inevitability upon the reader.
Draft a formal letter of appeal (200-250 words) to an organization, explaining a challenging situation you are facing. While maintaining a professional tone, subtly convey the sense of despair you are experiencing without resorting to overly emotional language. Focus on logical arguments and a clear request for assistance.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Dear [Organization Name] Review Committee, I am writing to formally appeal the recent decision regarding my application for [specific request/program]. I understand the stringent criteria for acceptance and respect the committee's judgment. However, I wish to humbly present additional context that, I believe, warrants further consideration. The unforeseen confluence of [specific challenging circumstances, e.g., severe illness, significant financial setback] has created an exceedingly difficult period, profoundly impacting my ability to demonstrate my full potential. While I endeavor to maintain my professional obligations, the cumulative effect of these adversities has, at times, instilled a pervasive sense of hopelessness regarding my future prospects. I am not seeking special treatment, but rather an opportunity to demonstrate my unwavering commitment under circumstances that have unfortunately been beyond my control. I firmly believe that given a chance, I can overcome these challenges and prove my dedication to [relevant goal/program]. I would be immensely grateful for the opportunity to discuss this matter further and provide any additional documentation you may require. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, [Your Name]
What is the primary emotion the passage aims to convey?
Read this passage:
In the desolate expanse of the tundra, where the wind howled an eternal lament, a solitary figure trudged onward. Each step was an act of sheer will, a defiance against the encroaching despair that threatened to consume her. The brutal cold had long since numbed her extremities, but the ache in her heart persisted, a constant reminder of all she had lost. Hope, a fragile thing, had withered in the harsh climate, leaving only the stark reality of her isolation. Yet, deep within, a spark, almost imperceptible, refused to be extinguished.
What is the primary emotion the passage aims to convey?
The passage uses words like 'desolate,' 'lament,' 'encroaching despair,' 'brutal cold,' 'ache in her heart,' and 'hopelessness' to vividly describe a state of complete loss and absence of hope, which aligns with the definition of despair.
The passage uses words like 'desolate,' 'lament,' 'encroaching despair,' 'brutal cold,' 'ache in her heart,' and 'hopelessness' to vividly describe a state of complete loss and absence of hope, which aligns with the definition of despair.
According to the passage, what was a significant consequence of the economic downturn?
Read this passage:
The economic downturn had gripped the nation with an icy clutch, casting a long shadow over countless livelihoods. Factories, once bustling with activity, now stood silent, monuments to a bygone era of prosperity. Unemployment soared, and with it, a collective sense of despair permeated society. Families struggled to make ends meet, and the once vibrant spirit of the community seemed to wane under the relentless pressure. Despite government assurances, the populace grappled with an overwhelming feeling that recovery was an elusive dream, forever just beyond reach.
According to the passage, what was a significant consequence of the economic downturn?
The passage explicitly states, 'Unemployment soared, and with it, a collective sense of despair permeated society.' This indicates that despair was a direct and significant consequence of the economic situation.
The passage explicitly states, 'Unemployment soared, and with it, a collective sense of despair permeated society.' This indicates that despair was a direct and significant consequence of the economic situation.
What led to the scholar's despair?
Read this passage:
He had dedicated his entire life to the pursuit of knowledge, poring over ancient texts and obscure manuscripts, convinced that he was on the precipice of a monumental discovery. Years melted into decades, his once youthful vigor replaced by the stoop of age and the lines of tireless effort. Then, one fateful evening, a rival scholar published a paper, detailing the very breakthrough he had been striving for. The news struck him like a physical blow, and a profound despair, cold and inescapable, enveloped him. All his sacrifices, all his toil, seemed to coalesce into a single, crushing realization of futility.
What led to the scholar's despair?
The passage states, 'Then, one fateful evening, a rival scholar published a paper, detailing the very breakthrough he had been striving for. The news struck him like a physical blow, and a profound despair, cold and inescapable, enveloped him.' This directly links the rival's success to his despair.
The passage states, 'Then, one fateful evening, a rival scholar published a paper, detailing the very breakthrough he had been striving for. The news struck him like a physical blow, and a profound despair, cold and inescapable, enveloped him.' This directly links the rival's success to his despair.
/ 30 correct
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