一、基本释义
despair [dɪˈspeə(r)] 是一个名词和动词,表示“绝望;丧失希望”。
- 作名词:a feeling of hopelessness
- 作动词:to lose all hope
二、常见搭配(名词用法)
- in despair(处于绝望中)
- a cry of despair(绝望的呼喊)
- depths of despair(极度的绝望)
- sink into despair(陷入绝望)
- give way to despair(屈服于绝望)
三、动词用法及结构
despair 作动词时通常为不及物动词,常与 of 连用:
- despair of (doing) something
例:He despaired of ever finding a solution. - despair + that 从句(较正式)
例:She despaired that she would never see him again.
四、经典例句
- They looked at the ruins in despair.
- Don’t despair — things will get better.
- He despaired of passing the exam after failing twice.
- Her eyes filled with tears, but she did not give in to despair.
五、注意事项
- despair 作动词时不能直接接宾语,需用 of 短语或 that 从句。
- 与 hope 相反,despair 强调完全失去希望,语气较强。
- 常用于文学、新闻或情感表达中,日常口语较少使用动词形式。