Synonyms of desperation

desperation

noun

ˌde-spə-ˈrā-shən 

as in despair

utter loss of hope

during the famine her desperation drove her to do things she wouldn't have normally considered

Synonyms & Similar Words

• despair
• sadness
• hopelessness
• sorrow
• depression
• melancholy
• agony
• misery
• despondence
• despondency
• forlornness
• oppression
• resignation
• slough of despond
• pain
• distress
• unhappiness
• sorrowfulness
• dejection
• gloom
• despond
• acceptance
• mournfulness
• joylessness
• self-pity
• gloominess
• dreariness
• blues
• dumps
• cynicism
• desolation
• pessimism
• blue devils
• doldrums
• dolor
• wretchedness
• woe
• mopes
• downheartedness
• self-despair
• dispiritedness
• disconsolateness
• woefulness
• dolefulness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hope
• hopefulness
• optimism
• cheerfulness
• cheer
• mirth
• glee
• joy
• gayety
• elation
• ecstasy
• merriment
• exuberance
• gaiety
• joviality
• happiness
• sunniness
• euphoria
• jollity
• exultation
• exhilaration
• lightheartedness
• jubilation
• bliss
• rapture
• joyousness
• joyfulness
• gladness
• gleefulness
• mirthfulness
• blissfulness
• elatedness
• rapturousness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of desperation

Having made all his available substitutions, Coach Simone Inzaghi resorted to desperation, ordering Francesco Acerbi to go forward and play as an auxiliary striker. —Adam Digby, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025

Her desperation to be liked is off-putting to everyone except street-smart Emily, who immediately takes to this eager beaver who will do anything to please. —Sezin Devi Koehler, EW.com, 1 May 2025

The foul went uncalled, and time expired as Hardaway’s desperation shot missed wide of the basket, putting Detroit in a 3-1 hole in the best-of-seven first-round playoff series. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2025

According to the logline, Nook dreams of a better life but is caught in a rampant cycle of poverty and desperation within his Atlanta community. —Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 2 May 2025