desperation

[ des-puh-rey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the state of being desperate or of having the recklessness of despair.
2. the act or fact of despairing; despair.

desperation

/ ˌdɛspəˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. desperate recklessness
2. the act of despairing or the state of being desperate

Word History and Origins

Origin of desperation¹

1325–75; Middle English desperacioun < Latin dēspērātiōn- (stem of dēspērātiō ). See desperate, -ion

Synonym Study

See despair.

Example Sentences

The demand for Glastonbury tickets inevitably attracts scam artists and fraudsters, who prey on people's desperation to separate them from their money.

From BBC

Dame Rachel, whose role exists to protect and promote the rights of children, said many families were turning to home education out of desperation, not choice.

From BBC

After first going to the police in August 2021, Kira emailed the FA, Premier League and the club about her allegations the following month "in desperation", as she was worried about him continuing to play on such a big platform while he was being investigated.

From BBC

In Gaza, where the Israeli military has been battling Palestinian group Hamas, desperation has narrowed the focus of some residents to that single goal.

From BBC

I recently spent six months selling solar door-to-door, partly to learn more about the industry, partly out of desperation as an underemployed writer.

From Slate

Related Words

• agony
• anguish
• anxiety
• desolation
• despair
• discomfort
• fear
• gloom
• grief
• heartache
• melancholy
• misery
• pain
• sorrow
• unhappiness