2022 August 23, Dani Blum, “How Can I Tell if I’m Depressed or Burned Out?”, in The New York Times[1], archived from the original on 31 August 2022:
Depression can induce an overwhelming sense of sadness and hopelessness.
2023 February 13, Deidre McPhillips, “Teens, especially girls, are experiencing more violence, suicidal thoughts and mental health challenges, CDC survey finds”, in CNN[2]:
The survey found increasing mental health challenges, experiences of violence, and suicidal thoughts and behavior among all teens. More than 40% of high school students said that feelings of sadness or hopelessness prevented them from engaging in their regular activities for at least two weeks of the year.
2025 February 18, Vera Papisova, “I Spent Nearly a Year on a Conservative Dating App as a Liberal—Here’s What I Learned”, in Cosmopolitan[3]:
On the app I’d ultimately go with, I presented myself truthfully, as a Republican-curious woman tired of the Democrats’ hopelessness and constant pivoting during a highly charged election year.
(of something's or someone's value to the speaker) Lack of potential.