as in despair
utter loss of hope
during the famine her desperation drove her to do things she wouldn't have normally considered
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Recent Examples of desperation
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
Driven by paternal desperation, the film introduces Luis (Sergi López), a middle-aged father, accompanied by his young son, Esteban (Bruno Núñez Arjona).
—Robert Lang, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2026
For many of us, remembering the start of two of Los Angeles County’s most devastating wildfires brings back visceral memories of fear, uncertainty, desperation, and loss.
—David Wilson, Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for desperation
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
Driven by paternal desperation, the film introduces Luis (Sergi López), a middle-aged father, accompanied by his young son, Esteban (Bruno Núñez Arjona).
—Robert Lang, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2026
For many of us, remembering the start of two of Los Angeles County’s most devastating wildfires brings back visceral memories of fear, uncertainty, desperation, and loss.
—David Wilson, Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for desperation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desperation
Noun
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Haynes aims to use preaching, social justice activism and coalition building to craft legislative solutions for District 30, where many residents face poverty and despair.—
Gromer Jeffers Jr,
Dallas Morning News,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Iranian currency has become less a medium of exchange than a daily index of national despair.—
Karim Sadjadpour,
The Atlantic,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Emotions were on full display with many expressing sadness and frustration, not only over Wednesday's federal raid, but raids happening around the Twin Cities over the last 40 days.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
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The initial answer to that question is a no, according to some evangelical pastors and commentators who reacted with shock and sadness to Yancey’s confession.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The four teen-agers—Cabey, Barry Allen, Troy Canty, and James Ramseur—came from the South Bronx at a time when the borough was still a national byword for immiseration and hopelessness.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The hopelessness and resignation had deepened.—
Russell Lemle,
Mercury News,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Desperation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desperation. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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