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
With the Heat entering Saturday in seventh place in the Eastern Conference and four games behind the sixth-place Detroit Pistons for the East’s final playoff spot that doesn’t require having to go through play-in, the standings have helped create that level of desperation.
—
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 2 Mar. 2025
When guests arrive in town with a plan that will uproot Junie’s life, her act of desperation wakes Minnie’s spirit from the grave, also unveiling horrifying secrets about Bellereine.
—Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025
That makes the Daytona 500 flyover particularly ironic: The Daytona International Speedway has long served as a rallying point and campground for hundreds of power-restoration workers who have come to our aid in our times of greatest desperation.
—The Orlando Sentinel and Santa Cruz Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2025
Considering Clevinger for a late-inning relief spot might reek of desperation, but the White Sox do not exactly have the luxury of being picky.
—Jared Wyllys, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for desperation
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Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 2 Mar. 2025
When guests arrive in town with a plan that will uproot Junie’s life, her act of desperation wakes Minnie’s spirit from the grave, also unveiling horrifying secrets about Bellereine.
—Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025
That makes the Daytona 500 flyover particularly ironic: The Daytona International Speedway has long served as a rallying point and campground for hundreds of power-restoration workers who have come to our aid in our times of greatest desperation.
—The Orlando Sentinel and Santa Cruz Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2025
Considering Clevinger for a late-inning relief spot might reek of desperation, but the White Sox do not exactly have the luxury of being picky.
—Jared Wyllys, Forbes, 21 Feb. 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 8 Mar. 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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