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
Plum missed a desperation 3-pointer as time expired.
—
John W. Davis, Oc Register, 1 June 2025
Tyler Perry’s Straw (Netflix movie) A bad day pushes a hardworking single mother (Taraji P. Henson) to the breaking point — and into a shocking act of desperation.
—Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 31 May 2025
White Negroni Photo : iStock / Getty Images The White Negroni was invented in 2001 by English bartender Wayne Collins in a move of apparent desperation.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 31 May 2025
Though the film doesn’t have an outwardly strong political message, it’s set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, adding an extra layer of desperation to O’Connor’s character.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for desperation
John W. Davis, Oc Register, 1 June 2025
Tyler Perry’s Straw (Netflix movie) A bad day pushes a hardworking single mother (Taraji P. Henson) to the breaking point — and into a shocking act of desperation.
—Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 31 May 2025
White Negroni Photo : iStock / Getty Images The White Negroni was invented in 2001 by English bartender Wayne Collins in a move of apparent desperation.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 31 May 2025
Though the film doesn’t have an outwardly strong political message, it’s set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, adding an extra layer of desperation to O’Connor’s character.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for desperation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desperation
despair
Noun
-
But the Squid Game stops for no one, so Gi-hun will be forced to make some important choices in the face of overwhelming despair as he and the surviving players are thrust into deadlier games that test everyone’s resolve.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
1 June 2025
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Garrett, Allegany and Washington counties are now symbols of neglect, where economic despair has replaced the industrious and seemingly indomitable spirit that had once defined them.—
Daniel A.C. McBride,
Baltimore Sun,
1 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Desperation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desperation. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.
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