Hopelessness: meaning, definitions and examples

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hopelessness

[ˈhəʊpləsnəs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

feeling

A feeling of despair, lack of hope, or pessimism about the future.

Synonyms

dejection, despair, despondency.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
hopelessness	Used when someone feels there is no chance of improvement or solution to a problem. 'She felt a deep sense of hopelessness after losing her job ' 'The continued war has brought a feeling of hopelessness among the people '
despair	Used when someone feels complete loss of hope and is in a very negative state of mind. 'She sank into despair when she heard the news ' 'In a state of despair, he didn't know how to move forward '
despondency	Expresses a loss of spirit and courage, often due to repeated failures or setbacks. 'After months of job searching with no offers, he fell into despondency ' 'Her despondency was evident as she spoke about her struggles '
dejection	Describes a state of sadness and low spirits, often due to disappointment. 'There was a look of dejection on his face after the defeat ' 'Her dejection was clear as she gazed out the window, thinking of what could have been '

Examples of usage

I sank into a deep pit of hopelessness after losing my job.
She was overwhelmed by a sense of hopelessness as she faced the challenges ahead.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

situation

The state of being without hope or prospects; a bleak outlook.

Synonyms

desolation, despair, desperation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
hopelessness	Repeated example - as above.
desperation	Describes a state where one is willing to take drastic or extreme actions due to loss of hope or urgent need. It often leads to irrational and reckless behavior. In her desperation to find her lost dog, she checked every street in the neighborhood. Out of desperation, he agreed to the risky deal.
desolation	Often used to describe a feeling of profound loneliness and emptiness, usually in relation to a physical place or emotional state. It can imply both emotional and environmental barrenness. The abandoned town was a place of utter desolation. After her husband passed away, she felt a profound desolation.
despair	Used when someone has lost all hope and is in a state of deep sorrow and helplessness. It generally implies an acute and intense feeling of loss and lack of solutions. She was in despair after hearing about her brother's accident. The team's latest defeat left the fans in complete despair.

Examples of usage

The hopelessness of the situation weighed heavily on his mind.
The hopelessness of their predicament left them feeling defeated.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Experiencing hopelessness often relates to depression, where people feel that their situation will never change.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy encourages people to challenge hopeless thoughts to find new perspectives on their problems.

Literature

Many famous authors, such as Emily Dickinson, wrote about hopelessness, exploring deep personal struggles and the human condition.
In classic novels, characters often face hopelessness when confronted with societal challenges, highlighting the theme of overcoming despair.

History

During the Great Depression, widespread hopelessness affected many families, leading to significant shifts in art and cultural expressions.
Post-war literature often captures the feeling of hopelessness, reflecting the struggles of individuals rebuild their lives after conflict.

Science

Studies show that feeling hopeless can affect physical health, leading to issues like fatigue and weakened immune responses.
Research indicates that addressing hopelessness can lead to improved mental health outcomes, emphasizing the importance of social support.

Pop Culture

Songs and movies often explore the theme of hopelessness, resonating with audiences who have faced their own dark times.
Iconic films like 'The Pursuit of Happyness' show characters overcoming hopeless situations, offering hope and inspiration to viewers.

Translations

Translations of the word "hopelessness" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desespero

🇮🇳 निराशा

🇩🇪 Hoffnungslosigkeit

🇮🇩 keputusasaan

🇺🇦 безнадія

🇵🇱 beznadzieja

🇯🇵 絶望

🇫🇷 désespoir

🇪🇸 desesperación

🇹🇷 umutsuzluk

🇰🇷 절망

🇸🇦 يأس

🇨🇿 beznaděj

🇸🇰 beznádej

🇨🇳 绝望

🇸🇮 obup

🇮🇸 vonleysi

🇰🇿 үмітсіздік

🇬🇪 უიმედობა

🇦🇿 ümidsizlik

🇲🇽 desesperación

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,043, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

...
17040 fleece
17041 shuffled
17042 bunker
17043 hopelessness
17044 propellant
17045 racket
17046 enlightening
...