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
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
Critics argue the murders were calculated acts of greed, rather than acts of desperation by abuse victims.
—
Hanna Park, CNN Money, 14 May 2025
Vegas, now in desperation mode, will have to resolve its disappearing offense and win the battle of urgency against Edmonton — something Jack Eichel said his team lacked on Monday.
—Sarah Jean Maher, New York Times, 14 May 2025
Charlie encounters these former child actors now living in various states of desperation, from struggling Etsy artist/caregiver Amber to DJ Bebe to college professor Cece to orchard manager Delia — and a surprise fifth sister, Felicity, living off the grid as a successful mixed-media artist.
—Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 9 May 2025
After the Celtics predictably rolled to a double-digit lead in the first quarter, driven by their desperation, play slowed and the lead shrank.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for desperation
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Hanna Park, CNN Money, 14 May 2025
Vegas, now in desperation mode, will have to resolve its disappearing offense and win the battle of urgency against Edmonton — something Jack Eichel said his team lacked on Monday.
—Sarah Jean Maher, New York Times, 14 May 2025
Charlie encounters these former child actors now living in various states of desperation, from struggling Etsy artist/caregiver Amber to DJ Bebe to college professor Cece to orchard manager Delia — and a surprise fifth sister, Felicity, living off the grid as a successful mixed-media artist.
—Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 9 May 2025
After the Celtics predictably rolled to a double-digit lead in the first quarter, driven by their desperation, play slowed and the lead shrank.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for desperation
Cite this Entry
“Desperation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/desperation. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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