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
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
Yesterday’s White House stunt had all the hallmarks of Trump corruption, but there was something else, too—an air of desperation.
—
Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2025
Demi Moore plays the aging star who, in her desperation to keep her career alive, tries an experimental drug to roll back the years.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
In desperation, some companies have resorted to tactics like tracking employee badge swipes and VPNs.
—Ars Technica, 11 Mar. 2025
Percent Of Freshmen Getting Grant Aid (7.5%): Colleges that hand out scholarships and grants to a large chunk of their incoming freshmen may appear to be wealthy and generous, but an unusually high percentage in this category can often be more indicative of desperation to entice students to enroll.
—Emma Whitford, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for desperation
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Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2025
Demi Moore plays the aging star who, in her desperation to keep her career alive, tries an experimental drug to roll back the years.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
In desperation, some companies have resorted to tactics like tracking employee badge swipes and VPNs.
—Ars Technica, 11 Mar. 2025
Percent Of Freshmen Getting Grant Aid (7.5%): Colleges that hand out scholarships and grants to a large chunk of their incoming freshmen may appear to be wealthy and generous, but an unusually high percentage in this category can often be more indicative of desperation to entice students to enroll.
—Emma Whitford, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for desperation
Cite this Entry
“Desperation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/desperation. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.
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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