desperation
noun
des·per·a·tion
ˌde-spə-ˈrā-shən 
1
: loss of hope and surrender to despair
2
: a state of hopelessness leading to rashness
Examples of desperation in a Sentence
She felt overcome by desperation.
the desperation of severe poverty
They hired me out of desperation, because they couldn't get anyone else.
Finally, in desperation, he tried to flee the country.
Recent Examples on the Web
Their primary motivation for entering tentative talks over Gomez was desperation, due to their need to comply with the Premier League’s PSR by June 30.
—
Chris Waugh, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Butler missed a desperation 3-point attempt at the buzzer as the Wolves lost, 114-113.
—Zach Harper, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
The White House has responded with a series of stunts — a live presidential endorsement on the South Lawn, the commerce secretary shilling for Tesla stock on Fox News, the FBI threatening vandals with terrorism charges — that all smack of desperation.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 25 Mar. 2025
All too many Democrats held back their anxieties about Harris over the summer, such was their desperation over the Biden campaign.
—Alexander Nazaryan, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for desperation
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Chris Waugh, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Butler missed a desperation 3-point attempt at the buzzer as the Wolves lost, 114-113.
—Zach Harper, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
The White House has responded with a series of stunts — a live presidential endorsement on the South Lawn, the commerce secretary shilling for Tesla stock on Fox News, the FBI threatening vandals with terrorism charges — that all smack of desperation.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 25 Mar. 2025
All too many Democrats held back their anxieties about Harris over the summer, such was their desperation over the Biden campaign.
—Alexander Nazaryan, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for desperation
Cite this Entry
“Desperation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/desperation. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
desperation
noun
des·per·a·tion
ˌdes-pə-ˈrā-shən
1
: a loss of hope and surrender to misery or dread
2
: a state of hopelessness leading to extreme recklessness
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