desperation

noun

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

Synonyms of desperation

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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.
And on Sunday — despite driving with an impressive desperation (that included a heated Stage 2 exchange with his crew chief over the radio) — a few mistakes followed him. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 11 Oct. 2026 In part, this is a story about the short-term desperation of Republicans in the face of midterms that seem set to be disastrous. — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026 Without the timeout, where New York could have advanced the ball to midcourt, Stewart missed a desperation shot at the buzzer. — ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026 Yet seemingly out of desperation, the nominees also have included total head-scratchers like Coldplay, Florence + the Machine, Matchbox Twenty, the Eagles — the fuckin’ Eagles, man! — Jem Aswad, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026 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

Rhymes for desperation

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Browse Nearby Words

desperateness
desperation
despicability
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Cite this Entry

“Desperation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/desperation. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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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
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