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

Synonyms

• despair
• despond
• despondence
• despondency
• forlornness
• hopelessness

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

And having any sort of feeling of desperation related to the production of artwork is so wrong, so counterintuitive to any creative practice. —Harmony Holiday, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024

Buffalo’s offense was so dominant that Detroit coach Dan Campbell felt compelled to try a desperation onside kickoff just three minutes into the fourth quarter. —Tim Graham, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024

Her frugal immigrant parents bring their own food, and Nate’s meddlesome mom harangues her son about his career and her desperation for a grandchild. —Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 15 Dec. 2024

Having seen, or rather not, messages to Gmail users disappearing into the ether for more than 12 months, one Forbes.com reader reached out in desperation for help. —Davey Winder, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English disperacioun, desperacioun, borrowed from Anglo-French desperaciun, borrowed from Latin dēspērātiōn-, dēspērātiō, from dēspērāre "to give up as hopeless, despair of" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at despair entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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