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

Sources close to Emery felt PSG’s desperation to win the Champions League could, at times, be all-consuming. —Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025

But most of the messages were laced with an unmistakable desperation about the precarious state of the country’s health care workers — and how no one was telling their story. —Adam B. Vary, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025

All season, this group has been consistent in its desperation to make history and win a trophy for Spurs. —Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025

During that period, Chelsea even made an opportunistic lowball bid for Isak to exploit Newcastle’s desperation, which was not entertained at St James’ Park. —Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 9 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