as in despair
utter loss of hope
during the famine her desperation drove her to do things she wouldn't have normally considered
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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
The mashup finds common ground over both the romantic desperation that the songs share lyrically and the depressing lyrics, sung beautifully over tropical, upbeat music.
—
Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025
But the smell of desperation is still palpable, Axios Closer author Nathan Bomey writes.
—Mike Allen, Axios, 7 Apr. 2025
Different teams, all the way to the non-playoff teams, have different levels of desperation right now.
—Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2025
This mystically exacting wordplay is spell-binding—fitting for a record that steeps its themes of desperation and addiction in a heady brew of alchemy and witchcraft.
—Meaghan Garvey, Pitchfork, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for desperation
Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025
But the smell of desperation is still palpable, Axios Closer author Nathan Bomey writes.
—Mike Allen, Axios, 7 Apr. 2025
Different teams, all the way to the non-playoff teams, have different levels of desperation right now.
—Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2025
This mystically exacting wordplay is spell-binding—fitting for a record that steeps its themes of desperation and addiction in a heady brew of alchemy and witchcraft.
—Meaghan Garvey, Pitchfork, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for desperation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desperation
Noun
-
Magnificent heroes of delicacy and seduction, Anouk Aimée and Jean-Louis Trintignant forever illuminate the film of our lives, like these two posters, whose colors express the intensity of a passionate love that triumphs over despair.—
Patrick Hipes,
Deadline,
21 Apr. 2025
-
The most heartbreaking thing about this highly heartbreaking scene, to me, is how Ramsey communicates Ellie’s despair at realizing there’s no time to fix things between them.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
20 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Desperation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desperation. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share