dɪˈspɛə(ɹ) dɪˈspɛəɹ dɪˈspɛə(ɹ) dɪˈspɛəɹ ˌdɛspəˈɹeɪʃən abandon hope; give up hope; lose heart Don't despair — help is on the way! the feeling that everything is wrong and nothing will turn out well they moaned in despair and dismay one harsh word would send her into the depths of despair a state in which all hope is lost or absent in the depths of despair they were rescued from despair at the last minute courage born of desperation