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

Or does global conflict and economic desperation make their continuing flow inevitable, with ebbs and flows in the numbers?

From BBC

But his solo status is due to a variety of factors, starting with his desperation to atone for his past mistakes — the worst of which exploited his awful father’s conditioning to obey authority.

From Salon

The only thing that’s changed is that, due to increased educational and career opportunities, women can hold out for love instead of settling for an unhappy union out of financial desperation.

From Salon

Yet Newcastle's desperation could see them throw good money after bad.

From BBC

"We should become self-reliant - not out of desperation, but out of pride," he said.

From BBC

Related Words

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