Desperation Meaning
/ˌdɛspəˈɹeɪʃən/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe act of despairing or becoming desperate; a giving up of hope.
nounA state of despair, or utter hopelessness; abandonment of hope.
Sentence Examples
We arrived at that plan out of pure desperation, but the book sold well.
To tell the truth, she gave away all her money to others in desperation.
The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
In a moment of ____, he sold his cherished heirloom for a fraction of its value.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
We arrived at that plan out of pure ____, but the book sold well.
Word Origin & History
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.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation."
— 1854 August 9, Henry D[avid] Thoreau, “Economy”, in Walden; or, Life in the Woods, Boston, Mass.: Ticknor and Fields, →OCLC, page 10:
""The PM’s private reassurances are worthless given her track record of u-turns and her clear desperation to cling to power.""
— 2017 June 11, “DUP leader hails 'good progress' with Theresa May”, in The Scotsman, archived from the original on 10 Jul 2025:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
In a moment of ____, he sold his cherished heirloom for a fraction of its value.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
We arrived at that plan out of pure ____, but the book sold well.