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
This too carries a whiff of desperation, as though people are intentionally putting on a brave face and shoving forward symbols of our collective creativity and togetherness.
—
Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 21 Nov. 2024
The team acquired him from San Francisco in a mid-season desperation move, just beating the trade deadline, after a plethora of injuries plunged the offense into a deep funk.
—Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
The terrible thing here is that the desperation in Rex is so acute.
—Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 29 Oct. 2024
Ayo Dosunmu forced an offensive rebound off a desperation heave by Coby White to position the Bulls to ice the game with 18.3 seconds left.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for desperation 
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Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 21 Nov. 2024
The team acquired him from San Francisco in a mid-season desperation move, just beating the trade deadline, after a plethora of injuries plunged the offense into a deep funk.
—Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
The terrible thing here is that the desperation in Rex is so acute.
—Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 29 Oct. 2024
Ayo Dosunmu forced an offensive rebound off a desperation heave by Coby White to position the Bulls to ice the game with 18.3 seconds left.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2024
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 30 Nov. 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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