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
Synonyms
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
Organized theft is no petty crime; these are not one-off crimes of desperation or a mom lifting a can of formula to feed her baby.
—
Cailey Locklair, Baltimore Sun, 27 Jan. 2025
That’s a Shawn Ryan [decision in the writing], and then my job is to act out that turmoil and choreograph the desperation and brutality.
—Max Gao, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Jan. 2025
The Islanders are willing to take a chance on DeAngelo out of desperation now, even though their playoff hopes are dimming by the day.
—Arthur Staple, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
As Thoreau said, a lot of people are living lives of quiet desperation.
—Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for desperation 
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Cailey Locklair, Baltimore Sun, 27 Jan. 2025
That’s a Shawn Ryan [decision in the writing], and then my job is to act out that turmoil and choreograph the desperation and brutality.
—Max Gao, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Jan. 2025
The Islanders are willing to take a chance on DeAngelo out of desperation now, even though their playoff hopes are dimming by the day.
—Arthur Staple, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
As Thoreau said, a lot of people are living lives of quiet desperation.
—Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for desperation
Dictionary Entries Near desperation
Cite this Entry
“Desperation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/desperation. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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