desperation
/ˌdespəˈreɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌdespəˈreɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌde-spə-ˈrā-shən/ (ame, mw)
desperation — noun
1. the strong feeling of having no hope, which makes you willing to try anything, e
the strong feeling of having no hope, which makes you willing to try anything, even dangerous or unreasonable things, to escape a terrible situation
As the flood waters rose, the trapped family climbed onto the roof in desperation.
in desperation — common prepositional phrase
In a moment of desperation, Chen sold his grandfather's watch to pay for a bus ticket home.
a moment of desperation — noun phrase showing single event
Desperation drove the hungry villagers to eat tree bark and wild roots during the long drought.
With no job and no savings left, Amelia felt a growing sense of desperation.
- hopelessness
stronger focus on the belief that nothing will improve; less emphasis on taking action
- despair
more about complete loss of hope without the urge to act; more passive and sorrowful
- anguish
focuses on severe mental or physical suffering rather than the urge to escape a situation
用法筆記
Often used in the fixed phrases 'in desperation' (explaining the reason for an action) and 'an act of desperation' (describing the action itself). Frequently collocates with verbs like 'feel', 'drive', 'grow into'.
常見錯誤
2. an extremely strong need or desire for something, so powerful that it takes over
an extremely strong need or desire for something, so powerful that it takes over your thinking and makes you act without care
The desperation in Amara's voice was obvious as she begged the nurse for more pain medicine.
desperation in [someone's] voice — collocation for audible need
Young athletes sometimes feel a desperation to win that damages their bodies and friendships.
desperation + to-infinitive expressing desired goal
The company showed its desperation for cash by accepting a loan with extremely high interest.
Parents often act out of desperation when their child is sick and no one can explain why.
Lukas checked every store in town with growing desperation, but the medicine was sold out everywhere.
- satisfaction
the state of having what you need
- contentment
a calm feeling of having enough, the opposite of urgent wanting
文法句型
desperation + for + noun phrase
desperation + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Subject is usually a person, group, or organisation that needs something essential. Common in the patterns 'desperation for [noun]' and 'desperation to [verb]'. Unlike sense 1, this sense does not imply a terrible situation — only a very strong want or need.