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 Williams is concerned that new transplant clinics set up to meet rising demand are exploiting the desperation that comes with female pattern hair loss. —Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 27 Nov. 2025

Dutcher toyed with it in practice earlier this month and actually used it out of desperation in the closing minutes of regulation against Troy, when his team came from 12 points down to force overtime before losing. —Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Nov. 2025

Mendez understands the desperation. —Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 27 Nov. 2025

In Hamnet, Shakespeare is shown to be there only for the burial; his having been in London when the boy died drives the wedge even further between him and Agnes, who, in desperation, tried everything to save her sick children. —Nathan Smith, Time, 26 Nov. 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