hopeless

Having no real chance of success or improvement.

• The situation seemed hopeless.
• Repairing the ruined boat was a hopeless task.
• They kept fighting even when their cause looked hopeless.

Similar words: impossible, futile

Opposites: promising

Common phrases: hopeless situation, hopeless task, hopeless cause

Feeling that nothing good will happen and there is no reason to keep trying.

• I felt hopeless.
• She grew hopeless after months without work.
• Do you feel hopeless about your future?

Similar words: despairing, despondent

Opposites: hopeful

Common phrases: feel hopeless, utterly hopeless

Very bad at an activity or job.

• I am hopeless at cooking.
• He was a hopeless driver when he first started.
• Are you as hopeless with numbers as I am?

How to use it: hopeless at something (I am hopeless at tennis.); hopeless at doing something (She is hopeless at remembering names.); hopeless with something (He is hopeless with computers.)

Similar words: unskilled, incompetent, inept

Opposites: skilled, competent

Common phrases: hopeless at something, hopeless cook, hopeless with something

Unable or unwilling to change your behavior, even after repeated advice or mistakes.

• You are hopeless!
• He forgot her birthday again; he really is hopeless.
• I have explained it ten times, but you are hopeless.

Similar words: incorrigible

Common phrases: you are hopeless, hopeless with someone

Having a condition or strong tendency that cannot be cured or changed.

• She is a hopeless romantic.
• The doctor described him as a hopeless addict.
• Even after repeated disappointments, he remained a hopeless dreamer.

Similar words: incurable

Opposites: curable

Common phrases: hopeless romantic, hopeless addict, hopeless dreamer