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

There was no time to wait, so in desperation, her mother sent out a message to everyone in her email directory. —Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026

Selling off productive mothers is the ultimate sign of desperation. —Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026

The scariest reality may be that most defense innovation comes from desperation. —Ben Smith, semafor.com, 23 Mar. 2026

On Florida’s final possession, guard Xaivian Lee drove under the hoop and had nowhere to go, throwing a desperation pass that turned into a loose ball as time expired — meaning the Gators never even got a shot off. —Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 23 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