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

Nicolás Maduro is gone, but residents in the Venezuelan capital face mounting desperation despite widespread expectations of swift economic improvements. —Mery Mogollon, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026

There’s this sort of desperation, but how does that manifest in her life for real? —Max Gao, Variety, 30 Jan. 2026

The desperation and dysfunction these days comes with a lot more Wall Street and techno-dystopia. —Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026

Told together, the overlapping stories deal with issues of mental illness, lives of quiet desperation, and the pitiless march of time. —David Morgan, CBS News, 29 Jan. 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