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

“Eternity” understands the desperation for a modicum of autonomy in this world, yet cleverly reminds viewers that having a choice doesn’t necessarily make life any easier.

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Perhaps, but it also gave an immediacy bordering on desperation to a story of teenage identity, poisonous social media and murder.

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"Instead of you concentrating on your grief and your despair and your desperation for that person, you're now in a different role."

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Rzonca added that this type of desperation is often another form of exploitation for human trafficking survivors.

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“And secondly,” Axel continues, “in many situations, the level of desperation keeps increasing. Often, if other conservation techniques are not able to prevent extinction on their own, reintroductions are necessary to help save a species.”

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Related Words

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