Despair.
Synonyms:
desperation, despondency, discouragement, hopelessness.
Discouragement is the result of so much repulse or failure as wears out courage. Discouragements too frequent and long continued may produce a settled hopelessness. Hopelessness is negative, and may result from simple apathy; despondency and despair are more emphatic and decided. Despondency is an incapacity for the present exercise of hope; despair is the utter abandonment of hope. Despondency relaxes energy and effort and is always attended with sadness or distress; despair may produce a stony calmness, or it may lead to desperation. Desperation is energized despair, vigorous in action, reckless of consequences.
Antonyms:
| anticipation, | cheer, | courage, | encouragement, | expectation, | hopefulness, |
| assurance, | confidence, | elation, | expectancy, | hope, | trust. |