DESPERATION Synonyms: 77 Similar and Opposite Words

desperation

noun

ˌde-spə-ˈrā-shən

Definition of desperation

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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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of desperation There’s a desperation in his voice, a weariness that evokes bad nights’ sleep and endless doomscrolling, but there’s also a delicacy to his performance, a gentleness that has precedent in his catalog but still feels new. — Stephen M. Deusner, Pitchfork, 17 July 2026 For years, they have been stuck at sea with their leader, the great warrior king Odysseus (Matt Damon), trying to find a route home to Ithaca; hunger and desperation have spurred his fiery second-in-command, Eurylochus (Himesh Patel), toward mutiny. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 July 2026 That means outstanding choices like Australia’s Ricky Ponting and Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara can probably be ruled out, increasing the ECB’s desperation to find the right person. — Paul Newman, New York Times, 17 July 2026 Anna Marian Block, a spokesperson for the Republican Governors Association, said Moore’s trip was a sign of desperation for Georgia Democrats, not strength. — Tia Mitchell, AJC.com, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for desperation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for desperation

Noun

His sister died in early 2019, and his mom had died a few years prior, and most posts are tributes to them, or raw expressions of despair.

— Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2026
In despair, reportedly at least 20 students committed suicide.

— Asim Ali, Time, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of despair

Noun

Out of sadness, but also out of hope and beauty and the belief that what was missing might eventually be found.

— Thao Thai, PEOPLE, 25 July 2026
Corey Ruiz's mother, daughter, partner and siblings joined attorney Ben Crump, expressing their sadness and frustration about his death.

— Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 24 July 2026

Definition of sadness

Noun

With the current political climate, Love sees the hopelessness in the world and took it upon herself to create room for people to be a part of a community that desires to curate a safe space.

— Zuri Primos July 27, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026
Surveys indicate that young women are experiencing their highest rates of hopelessness on record.

— Elizabeth Dray, STAT, 21 July 2026

Definition of hopelessness

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desperateness

desperation

despicable

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“Desperation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desperation. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of desperation

noun

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