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
The country was being torn apart by the Great Northern War, accompanied by a deadly plague epidemic and desperation, according to a May 8 news release from the Wojewódzki Urząd Ochrony Zabytków w Kielcach, or the Provincial Office for the Protection of Monuments in Kielce.
—
Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 10 May 2024
These debts can lead to such desperation that athletes decide to risk their careers.
—Jared Bahir Browsh, The Conversation, 10 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for desperation 
Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 10 May 2024
These debts can lead to such desperation that athletes decide to risk their careers.
—Jared Bahir Browsh, The Conversation, 10 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for desperation
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'desperation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near desperation
Cite this Entry
“Desperation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/desperation. Accessed 20 May. 2024.
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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