Filed from 4 published puzzles

DESPAIR

Set to 4 different clues across 4 published puzzles, most often “Bad thing to sink into” — The New York Times, Saturday, 28 October 2006.

7 letters

Every clue on record, most used first

Bad thing to sink intoonce
The New York Times — Saturday, 28 October 2006
Hopelessnessonce
The New York Times — Tuesday, 10 August 2004
Film noir featureonce
The New York Times — Saturday, 28 July 2001
Give uponce
The New York Times — Saturday, 12 July 1997

Other answers to these clues

ALEG4 letters
CEDE4 letters
CRYUNCLE8 letters
DIE3 letters
QUIT4 letters
RENOUNCE8 letters
SIGNAWAY8 letters
THROWINTHETOWEL15 letters
VACATE6 letters
WAIVE5 letters
YIELD5 letters