Definition of desperation
1 : loss of hope and surrender to despair
2 : a state of hopelessness leading to rashness
From the M-W Editors
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 of desperation from the Web
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That Israel considered an open explosion was a measure of its desperation.
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CB East senior attacker Ryan Brown, however, changed everything with a desperation heave from about 25 yards away that escaped La Salle goalie Michael Clibanoff with one second left.
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Cox masterfully captures Churchill’s contradictory nature, obsessive dutifulness to queen and country, and a volatility born out of fear, desperation and impending loss.
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But the millions of people who crossed the border out of desperation and desire, who came here and found work, and live peaceably without bothering anyone?
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Office Christmas Party Facing poor sales and the threat of mass layoffs, the heads of a Chicago tech company try a desperation move to save the day.
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The horrified girls left their purses behind in their desperation to get away.
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Griffin went home that day, took notice of his neighbor’s 8,000-volt electric security fence and, with boots off, in a fit of do-it-yourself desperation, nudged it with his arm.
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Consider the Induce Act one more act of desperation.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'desperation'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of desperation
14th century
DESPERATION Defined for English Language Learners
desperation
playDefinition of desperation for English Language Learners
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: a strong feeling of sadness, fear, and loss of hope
DESPERATION Defined for Kids
desperation
playDefinition of desperation for Students
: a condition of hopelessness often leading to recklessness
Learn More about desperation
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See words that rhyme with desperation Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for desperation Spanish Central: Translation of desperation Nglish: Translation of desperation for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of desperation for Arabic speakers
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