Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun desperation

2 senses of desperation

Sense 1
despair, desperation -- (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")
       => condition, status -- (a state at a particular time; "a condition (or state) of disrepair"; "the current status of the arms negotiations")

Sense 2
desperation -- (desperate recklessness; "it was a policy of desperation")
       => recklessness, foolhardiness, rashness -- (the trait of giving little thought to danger)