desperation

noun

des·​per·​a·​tion ˌde-spə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce desperation (audio)
1
: loss of hope and surrender to despair
2
: a state of hopelessness leading to rashness

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Critics argue the murders were calculated acts of greed, rather than acts of desperation by abuse victims. Hanna Park, CNN Money, 14 May 2025 Vegas, now in desperation mode, will have to resolve its disappearing offense and win the battle of urgency against Edmonton — something Jack Eichel said his team lacked on Monday. Sarah Jean Maher, New York Times, 14 May 2025 Charlie encounters these former child actors now living in various states of desperation, from struggling Etsy artist/caregiver Amber to DJ Bebe to college professor Cece to orchard manager Delia — and a surprise fifth sister, Felicity, living off the grid as a successful mixed-media artist. Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 9 May 2025 After the Celtics predictably rolled to a double-digit lead in the first quarter, driven by their desperation, play slowed and the lead shrank. Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for desperation

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of desperation was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Desperation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/desperation. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

desperation

noun
des·​per·​a·​tion ˌdes-pə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce desperation (audio)
1
: a loss of hope and surrender to misery or dread
2
: a state of hopelessness leading to extreme recklessness

More from Merriam-Webster on desperation

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