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

According to the logline, Nook dreams of a better life but is caught in a rampant cycle of poverty and desperation within his Atlanta community. —Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 2 May 2025

There was energy and joy but the mood was thick with desperation and laced with danger. —Simon Hughes, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025

Reminder: While these stories highlight the desperation of a few, there are literally thousands of furry creatures in need of a family. —Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2025

One of them was 28-year-old Sara (a pseudonym), who fled abuse in Iran and turned to the United States out of desperation and hope, only to have her dreams of freedom and safety dashed and her trauma deepen. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 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

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