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

With the Ducks in desperation mode, Kreider skillfully redirected Jacob Trouba’s shot from the point for the 21st goal of his first season with Anaheim. —Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026

The group is preyed upon by not only the harsh terrain, beset by hunger and desperation, but are also stalked by something older and far more merciless than the desert itself. —Thinus Ferreira, Variety, 6 Mar. 2026

The whirlwind occurred out of desperation. —Eden Laase, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026

When China, in retaliation for tariffs, threatened to weaponize its rare earth monopoly — a move tested on Japan in 2010 — the administration’s desperation only intensified. —Markos Kounalakis, Mercury News, 5 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