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.
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
According to some experts, this paralyzing fear and desperation are factors that scammers exploit to put their criminal schemes into action.
—
Albinson Linares, NBC news, 26 Apr. 2026
But her desperation seems exposed at Cupertino, too, where Little Tim mocks her for her dim suggestion that psychotherapists be deployed to the company’s Guangzhou factory to cool down a labor crisis.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 26 Apr. 2026
In a recent interview from the Texas detention center before they were ordered released, El Gamal's oldest daughter, Habiba, described to NPR how her mother's health had deteriorated and the entire family's growing desperation over their 10 months in custody.
—Adrian Florido, NPR, 26 Apr. 2026
Some appear to be cordially greeting viewers with a wave, while others evince the desperation of a person drowning.
—Dawn Chan, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for desperation
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Albinson Linares, NBC news, 26 Apr. 2026
But her desperation seems exposed at Cupertino, too, where Little Tim mocks her for her dim suggestion that psychotherapists be deployed to the company’s Guangzhou factory to cool down a labor crisis.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 26 Apr. 2026
In a recent interview from the Texas detention center before they were ordered released, El Gamal's oldest daughter, Habiba, described to NPR how her mother's health had deteriorated and the entire family's growing desperation over their 10 months in custody.
—Adrian Florido, NPR, 26 Apr. 2026
Some appear to be cordially greeting viewers with a wave, while others evince the desperation of a person drowning.
—Dawn Chan, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
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 Apr. 2026.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
