Spell Bee Word: despair

Basic Details

Word: Despair

Part of Speech: Noun / Verb

Meaning: A feeling of hopelessness or the state of having no hope.

Synonyms: Hopelessness, despondency, misery

Antonyms: Hope, optimism, cheer

Idioms and Phrases

1. In the depths of despair: To be in a very low or hopeless state. Example: "After losing the match, he found himself in the depths of despair."
2. A light at the end of the tunnel: A sign of hope in a difficult situation. Example: "Even though she was struggling with her studies, the improvement she made was a light at the end of the tunnel."

Usage Examples

Example 1: After the storm damaged their home, the family felt a sense of despair as they faced the long recovery ahead.

Example 2: She had to fight against despair to keep moving forward after her friends moved away.

Example 3: In times of despair, it's important to remember that things can get better with time and effort.

Fun Fact

Did you know that the word "despair" originates from the Latin word "desperare," which means "to lose hope"? This shows that despair has always been connected to feelings of hopelessness across different languages!

Famous Quote

"This too shall pass." Persian Proverb

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. What does "despair" mean?

a) A feeling of happiness
b) A feeling of hopelessness
c) A type of flower
d) A kind of music

Answer: b) A feeling of hopelessness

2. Which of these is a synonym of "despair"?

a) Joy
b) Hopelessness
c) Excitement
d) Fun

Answer: b) Hopelessness

3. Which sentence uses "despair" correctly?

a) She danced with despair at the party.
b) He felt despair when he saw the broken toy.
c) The despair flew high in the sky.
d) The rain brought despair to the sunny day.

Answer: b) He felt despair when he saw the broken toy.

4. Which idiom means having a sense of hope in a difficult situation?

a) In the depths of despair
b) A light at the end of the tunnel
c) As happy as a clam
d) Once in a blue moon

Answer: b) A light at the end of the tunnel

5. What is the opposite of "despair"?

a) N/A
b) Happiness
c) Anger
d) Fear

Answer: b) Happiness