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

Organized theft is no petty crime; these are not one-off crimes of desperation or a mom lifting a can of formula to feed her baby. —Cailey Locklair, Baltimore Sun, 27 Jan. 2025

That’s a Shawn Ryan [decision in the writing], and then my job is to act out that turmoil and choreograph the desperation and brutality. —Max Gao, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Jan. 2025

The Islanders are willing to take a chance on DeAngelo out of desperation now, even though their playoff hopes are dimming by the day. —Arthur Staple, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025

As Thoreau said, a lot of people are living lives of quiet desperation. —Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 23 Jan. 2025

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