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
• 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

Remove every trace of desperation from your online presence. —Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025

Out of desperation, Red Bull chose to swap Liam Lawson and Tsunoda following two underwhelming races by Lawson. —Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025

New tactics are being met with rising public resistance and desperation from suspects facing ICE detention and deportation. —Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 28 June 2025

Combine that with four extra days on the water and a rising desperation for land, perishable food and cell service and the only thing that can unfold is pure chaos. —Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 27 June 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