Word
desperation
Phoneticsdes·per·a·tion, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌdɛspɝˈeɪʃən/
UK/dˌɛspəɹˈeɪʃən/
Definitions
01hopelessness
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the state of having no hope and feeling that a situation is impossible to fix.
n. a psychological state of utter hopelessness or despair; the condition of being desperate.
“He looked around the empty room in total desperation, not knowing where to go next.”
“The refugees lived in a state of constant desperation, unsure if the next shipment of medical supplies would arrive before the winter set in.”
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'in' to describe a person's state.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02reckless action
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. a feeling of being so worried or upset that you do something dangerous or extreme.
n. a state of extreme urgency or anxiety that drives one to take reckless or unconventional risks.
“In a moment of desperation, she sold her car to pay for her rent.”
“The company's decision to merge with its largest rival was seen by many analysts as a final act of desperation to avoid total bankruptcy.”
Usage
Often appears in the phrase 'an act of desperation'.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“There is less food, less education, fewer opportunities, greater pressure on health and other essential services, and more desperation for families,” the UNHCR chief said.” “But in their desperation to pour forward, the Reds left themselves wide open to the counterattack.” Etymology
From Middle English desperacion, desperacioun, desperation, disparacion, disperacion, disperacioun, dispiracioune, dysperacioun, from Middle French desperation and its etymon Latin dēspērātiō, dēspērātiōnis. By surface analysis, desperate + -ion.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/desperation