What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
despairful
Example
The news of her father's death left her feeling despairful. [despairful: adjective]
Example
The situation seemed so despairful that they didn't know what to do. [despairful: adjective]
desperate
Example
They were in a desperate situation and needed help immediately. [desperate: adjective]
Example
He was desperate to find a job and support his family. [desperate: adjective]
Example
She was desperate for a cup of coffee after staying up all night. [desperate: preposition]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Desperate is more commonly used than despairful in everyday language. Desperate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while despairful is less common and may sound more formal or literary.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between despairful and desperate?
While despairful may sound more formal or literary, desperate can be used in both formal and informal contexts, making it a more versatile word.
