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

In desperation, he fled.

Synonyms of desperation

• despair
• sadness
• 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

Vegas pulled Carter Hart with about three minutes to go, officially entering desperation mode, but nothing worked, and Nikolaj Ehlers scored an empty-netter to start the party. —Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026

Much of what looks like desperation is closer to opportunity and overlap. —John Drake, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026

And yet, the through-line of its main character's desperation connects Kill List's shifting tones, following a PTSD-addled war veteran's attempts to provide for his family by accepting his friend's offer to team up on a high-paying contract killing job. —Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026

The late fashion designer Alexander McQueen once said there’s blood beneath every layer of skin, and barely concealed under the cheer chants and bubblegrunge guitars was a scrabbling, clawing desperation. —Walden Green, Pitchfork, 12 June 2026

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

Rhymes for desperation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

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