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

The trend speaks to the desperation faced by Indians in the world’s largest democracy and stand in stark contrast to the powerful and robust image that Modi is trying to project on the world stage. —Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 22 May 2026

When Guardiola joined City in 2016, there was widespread resistance to his ways, almost a desperation to prove that his quick passing football could never work on these shores. —Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 22 May 2026

But this isn’t just a desperation meal. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 21 May 2026

The movie tweaked Harry’s fatal ending, but the adaptation does something even more striking with his desperation. —Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 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