as in despair
utter loss of hope
during the famine her desperation drove her to do things she wouldn't have normally considered
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Recent Examples of desperation
Violence can come from feelings of powerlessness and desperation.
—
Max Gao, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
The desperation to show progress has produced some genuinely strange outcomes.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
In a recent interview from the Texas detention center before they were ordered released, El Gamal's oldest daughter, Habiba, described to NPR how her mother's health had deteriorated and the entire family's growing desperation over their 10 months in custody.
—Adrian Florido, NPR, 26 Apr. 2026
According to some experts, this paralyzing fear and desperation are factors that scammers exploit to put their criminal schemes into action.
—Albinson Linares, NBC news, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for desperation
Max Gao, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
The desperation to show progress has produced some genuinely strange outcomes.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
In a recent interview from the Texas detention center before they were ordered released, El Gamal's oldest daughter, Habiba, described to NPR how her mother's health had deteriorated and the entire family's growing desperation over their 10 months in custody.
—Adrian Florido, NPR, 26 Apr. 2026
According to some experts, this paralyzing fear and desperation are factors that scammers exploit to put their criminal schemes into action.
—Albinson Linares, NBC news, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for desperation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desperation
Noun
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The play charts his despair and hope, as well as his unlikely romance with a prison volunteer (Tessa Thompson).—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Denials, appeals and habeas corpus Juan and Donovan’s emotions swing wildly between hope and despair, depending on the day.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There’s both comfort in finding myself in that child’s face, and also sadness.—
Benny Peterson,
Vogue,
4 May 2026
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Amid the sadness and uncertainty, though, one moment captured the aviation community rallying around its own.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
3 May 2026
Noun
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The other featured a comeback that saw hopelessness turn into jubilation.—
Peter Warren,
Houston Chronicle,
28 Mar. 2026
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For her and many other Iranians who spoke to CNN – their surnames withheld to protect their identities – the past three weeks have been filled with a sense of hopelessness and fear.—
Leila Gharagozlou,
CNN Money,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Desperation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desperation. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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