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

Oweh received the inbound pass, pushed the ball up the court and pulled up to the left of the midcourt logo to launch his desperation heave. —CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026

Already, though, the country has been swept by scenes of desperation and displacement that have been overshadowed by events in Iran and the Gulf. —Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026

The first season explored the desperation of B- and D-list celebrities appearing on reality shows. —Jada Yuan, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026

That description closely mirrors the emotional weight of the Arabasta arc in the manga, where Vivi’s desperation to save her kingdom and Luffy’s confrontation with Crocodile push the story into heavier territory. —Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 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