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

But, as had happened so often in the history of brittle regimes, the dictator’s gesture of conciliation was read as desperation. —David Remnick, New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2026

Do not succumb to any drive to make a desperation move at that time; things can turn around quickly. —Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 9 Jan. 2026

Do not succumb to any drive to make a desperation move at that time, things can turn around quickly. —Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 9 Jan. 2026

As previously reported by Fox News Digital, the unrest has been driven by a mix of economic desperation and political anger. —Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 7 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