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

Yet the Angels ran the minor leagues out of a desperation wrought by their big-league malaise. — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

But his approach is from a position of deftness and strength, not desperation. — Hilary Milnes, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026

Issa’s desperation to keep things sexy, Paul Baker’s desire not to be a bad guy, the possum’s interest in food — as well as what was keeping them there. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026

Wendy seems to believe that too, which adds to her desperation. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 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