# desperation

/ˌdɛspɝˈeɪʃən/ (US) · /dˌɛspəɹˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/desperation
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. hopelessness

noun · CEFR B2

the state of having no hope and feeling that a situation is impossible to fix.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. reckless action

noun · CEFR B2

a feeling of being so worried or upset that you do something dangerous or extreme.

For teachers: 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'.

## Examples

- She accepted the job out of desperation.
- In desperation, he called his old friend for a loan.
- The refugees crossed the border in desperation, leaving behind everything they owned to seek safety.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.