self-despair

noun

Definition of self-despairnext
as in sorrow

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-despair
  1. sorrow
  2. sadness
  3. dejection
  4. unhappiness
  5. melancholy
  6. oppression
  7. self-pity
  8. despair
Noun
  • While firefighter Ed Glover appeared caught between rapture, and deep sorrow.
    — Anderson Cooper, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Two people in New Orleans fall in love under an oak tree whose branches bend like sorrow.
    — Terry Gross, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of sorrow
Noun
  • At the same time, 40% reported experiencing stress, 23% reported sadness, 22% anger and 22% loneliness.
    — Naira Velumyan, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Still, there are strains of deeper sadness and discomfort here, largely in the passive-aggressive tension between Kim’s character and her onscreen mother (superbly played by a new recuit, veteran TV star Choi Myeonggil).
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of sadness
Noun
  • In the end, Gizelle’s team triumphs, prompting more dejection from Vicki.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2026
  • This has been one of Norway’s great months and reaching the end of the line was as much cause for pride as dejection across the capital.
    — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 12 July 2026
Definition of dejection
Noun
  • The more pragmatic camp argues that maintaining unity during the war requires addressing the public's unhappiness over the economy as well as political and social repression.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
  • There is more potential this month for unhappiness to reach you in this way.
    — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 July 2026
Definition of unhappiness
Noun
  • Beneath all the sensuality and beauty, there’s also a lingering melancholy that feels very familiar to me.
    — Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 16 June 2026
  • Don Hertzfeldt occasionally comes to mind for a similarly pervasive mood of questioning, philosophical melancholy.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 12 June 2026
Definition of melancholy
Noun
  • Sometimes the oppression is more personal, as in Il Fuoco Che Ti Port Dentro, where Antonio’s larger-than-life mother visits at Christmas and sets off a showdown with her successful son.
    — David Bloom, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • This book perfectly encapsulates the desire to escape the oppression of being a woman by escaping being a human altogether.
    — S.M. Hallow, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of oppression
Noun
  • Rather than being riled into playing at a higher level, Spain sunk into self-pity mode.
    — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 18 July 2026
  • Every setback was met with more determination instead of self-pity.
    — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2026
Definition of self-pity
Noun
  • Moving forward Growers who are moving on in the wake of the Del Monte collapse are experiencing a slew of emotions ranging from hope to despair.
    — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 23 Aug. 2026
  • At Rimini’s Catholic festival, Leo urges believers to confront unjust economic and technological systems, asserting that ‘there can be no enemies’ and hailing young Catholics as a hopeful antidote to despair.
    — Giada Zampano, Los Angeles Times, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of despair
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

self-deprecatory
self-despair
self-destruct
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Cite this Entry

“Self-despair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-despair. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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