Synonyms for desperation
ˌdɛs pəˈreɪ ʃəndes·per·a·tion

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:2.7 / 3 votes

1. desperation

   Discouragement is the result of so much repulse or failure as wears out courage. Discouragements too frequent and long continued may produce a settled hopelessness. Hopelessness is negative, and may result from simple apathy; despondency and despair are more emphatic and decided. Despondency is an incapacity for the present exercise of hope; despair is the utter abandonment of hope. Despondency relaxes energy and effort and is always attended with sadness or distress; despair may produce a stony calmness, or it may lead to desperation. Desperation is energized despair, vigorous in action, reckless of consequences.

   Synonyms:
   despair, despondency, discouragement, hopelessness

   Antonyms:
   anticipation, assurance, cheer, confidence, courage, elation, encouragement, expectancy, expectation, hope, hopefulness, trust

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. despair, desperationnoun

   a state in which all hope is lost or absent

   "in the depths of despair"; "they were rescued from despair at the last minute"; "courage born of desperation"

   Synonyms:
   despair

2. desperationnoun

   desperate recklessness

   "it was a policy of desperation"

   Synonyms:
   despair

Matched Categories

1. • Condition
   • Recklessness

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. desperationnoun

   Synonyms:
   despair, hopelessness

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:3.5 / 2 votes

1. desperationnoun

   Synonyms:
   despair, hopelessness, recklessness

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "desperation":

   despair, hopelessness, distress, despondency

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How to use desperation in a sentence?

1. Henry David Thoreau:

   The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.

2. Philipp Grubauer:

   Desperation save, it was not the best, but we got it done.

3. Clifton Newman:

   I find that the jury is entitled to consider whether the apparent desperation of Mr. Paul Murdaugh, because of Paul Murdaugh dire financial situation, threat of being exposed for committing the crimes for which Paul Murdaugh was later charged with, resulted in the commission of the alleged crimes.

4. South African artist William Kentridge:

   The Tiber is a river swollen with glory and pain. On one side the fortune of the popes, on the other the suffering of the Jewish Ghetto. Above ... a pulsating, splendid city; below, under the bridges, the desperation of the homeless.

5. David Bishai:

   Some people prioritize other things above life-saving drugs out of desperation.