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

Four plays later, in desperation mode, Alabama went for it from deep in its own territory, and a Ty Simpson pass was errant. —Seth Emerson, New York Times, 7 Dec. 2025

Five months after the deadly Texas Hill Country flood, newly released 911 calls reveal panic, desperation and heartbreaking pleas. —Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 6 Dec. 2025

At Camp La Junta, a boys’ camp along the South Fork of the Guadalupe River, the desperation was just as immediate. —Amanda Jackson, CNN Money, 5 Dec. 2025

The Giants have the money to make a move like this happen, and their desperation could lead to a deal sooner rather than later. —Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 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