Standard Lemma guide

despairingly

adv · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /dɪˈspɛəɹ.ɪŋ.li/
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1

adv

Meaning 1

In a despairing manner.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adverb

Meaning 2

with desperation

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • `Why can't you understand?,' she asked despairingly

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: despondently

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English despairing Middle English -ly English -ly English despairingly From despairing + -ly.