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desperation — a state of despair, typically one which results in rash or extreme behavior

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: a state of despair, typically one which results in rash or extreme behavior

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˌdespəˈreɪʃən/

Example Sentences

  • Out of desperation, she ate the expired yogurt in her fridge.
  • His desperation was obvious when he started texting his crush every five minutes.
  • The company's desperation showed when they offered free pizza to keep employees working overtime.

desperation

NOUN

[/ˌdespəˈreɪʃən/]

a state of despair, typically one which results in rash or extreme behavior

He wasn't careless — he was desperate, and desperation makes people do things they never imagined.
💡 Concept

He wasn't careless — he was desperate, and desperation makes people do things they never imagined.

At the DESK, PER night, he ATE nothing — desperate to finish before the deadline.
🧠 Mnemonic

At the DESK, PER night, he ATE nothing — desperate to finish before the deadline.

Desperate enough to separate — just to generate something new.
🎵 Rhyme

Desperate enough to separate — just to generate something new.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˌdespəˈreɪʃən/
🇬🇧 UK/ˌdespəˈreɪʃən/

🌳Etymology

Prefixde--
Rootsper
Suffix--ation

Origin

Derived from Latin 'desperatus', meaning 'hopeless' or 'having lost hope'. The term combines the prefix 'de-' (completely, away) with 'sperare' (to hope), literally signifying a state in which hope has been completely abandoned.

Breakdown

de- (completely, away) + sperare (to hope) + -tion (noun-forming suffix), creating a noun that denotes the condition or state of being without hope.

🎵Rhyme

preparation
inspiration
frustration
celebration

🔗Collocations

in desperation
act of desperation
sheer desperation
driven by desperation
desperation move
growing desperation

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“Out of desperation, she ate the expired yogurt in her fridge.”

😄 Fun example

“His desperation was obvious when he started texting his crush every five minutes.”

😄 Fun example

“The company's desperation showed when they offered free pizza to keep employees working overtime.”

“In her desperation to pass the exam, she studied 20 hours straight.”

📚Related Words

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