[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/desperation/)

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# desperation

noun (desperation — uncountable)

«desperation» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

Desperation is the feeling of having almost no hope, which makes you willing to try anything, even something risky. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/desperation/#m1)

### In the lessons

In stories, characters act «in desperation» or «out of desperation», trying a last wild idea. In The Wind in the Willows Toad in desperation escapes from prison dressed as a washerwoman. In everyday life, «in desperation I asked my little brother» means you had no better choice.

### Examples

- In desperation, the lost boy shouted for help. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/desperation/#x1)
- Out of desperation, Toad dressed up as a washerwoman. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/desperation/#x2)
- There was desperation in her voice. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/desperation/#x3)
- The hungry fox raided the bins in desperation. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/desperation/#x4)
- In desperation, he tried the last key. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/desperation/#x5)
- The team played with desperation in the final minutes. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/desperation/#x6)
- In desperation, he returned home and knocked at the door. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/desperation/#x7)

### Note

Uncountable. From «desperate». Phrases: «in desperation», «out of desperation». Do not confuse with «despair» (giving up hope completely), though they are close.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «desperation» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/desperation/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«desperation» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/desperation.html) on Mova free.