Desparation vs. Desperation — Which is Correct Spelling?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on April 3, 2024
"Desparation" is a common misspelling, while "Desperation" is the correct spelling referring to a state of despair or hopelessness.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Desparation or Desperation
How to spell Desperation?
Desparation
Incorrect Spelling
Desperation
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
Link "Desperation" with "Desperate feelings" — both have "e" after the "p".
Think of "desperate" which correctly uses "e" before the "t", not "a".
The word "ration" is a part of "Desperation," not "raption".
Memorize the phrase: “In desperate situations, one feels desperation."
Remember "Desperation" has "e" after "p", not "a".
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How Do You Spell Desperation Correctly?
Incorrect: In a moment of desparation, he called his estranged brother.
Correct: In a moment of desperation, he called his estranged brother.
Incorrect: The team played with a sense of desparation, knowing this was their last chance to win.
Correct: The team played with a sense of desperation, knowing this was their last chance to win.
Incorrect: His actions were driven by pure desparation.
Correct: His actions were driven by pure desperation.
Incorrect: She felt a sense of desparation when she lost her job.
Correct: She felt a sense of desperation when she lost her job.
Incorrect: Their desparation was evident in their hurried decisions.
Correct: Their desperation was evident in their hurried decisions.
Desperation Definitions
A condition of being driven to take any risk.
His desperation led him to dangerous decisions.
The act of despairing or becoming desperate.
Desperation took over his rational thoughts.
A strong feeling of sadness or discouragement.
The news filled her with desperation.
A loss of hope or confidence.
In his eyes, there was a clear sign of desperation.
A state of hopelessness leading to rashness.
He acted out of sheer desperation.
The condition of being desperate.
Recklessness arising from despair.
The act of despairing or becoming desperate; a giving up of hope.
A state of despair, or utter hopelessness; abandonment of hope
Reckless fury.
A state of despair, or utter hopeless; abandonment of hope; extreme recklessness; reckless fury.
In the desperation of the moment, the officers even tried to cut their way through with their swords.
A state in which everything seems wrong and will turn out badly;
They were rescued from despair at the last minute
Desperate recklessness;
It was a policy of desperation
Desperation Meaning in a Sentence
The drought led farmers to act out of desperation, selling livestock they couldn't afford to feed.
She ran through the streets in desperation, searching for her missing dog.
The desperation in her voice was impossible to ignore.
Out of desperation, they turned to crowdfunding to cover the medical expenses.
His desperation to succeed made him work twice as hard as his peers.
Desperation drove him to take risks he normally wouldn't consider.
The team's desperation was evident in their aggressive play in the final minutes.
Their faces showed the desperation of people who had lost everything.
Economic desperation has pushed many towards seeking employment abroad.
Desperation can sometimes be the catalyst for change.
The letter was a cry of desperation, begging for help.
In a fit of desperation, she deleted all her social media accounts to avoid her ex.
The movie captured the desperation of the protagonist's journey beautifully.
The desperation for news about the missing plane was palpable among the families.
The politician's speech tapped into the desperation felt by many in the crowd.
The desperation for approval can lead people to make unwise decisions.
A sense of desperation often leads to innovation out of necessity.
She wrote the exam in desperation, unprepared and anxious.
Volunteers worked with desperation, knowing time was running out to find survivors.
In his desperation, he forgot his moral principles and lied to his friends.
Desperation Idioms & Phrases
In desperation
Being in a state of despair and taking actions that reflect extreme distress.
In desperation, they called every hospital in the city looking for their loved one.
A cry of desperation
An urgent plea for help, often when in a dire situation.
The community's petition was a cry of desperation for government assistance.
Desperation move
An action taken out of urgency, usually because there are no better options available.
Applying to jobs far below his skill level was a desperation move.
Act of desperation
A drastic action taken because of extreme urgency or stress.
Selling the family heirloom was an act of desperation to cover the debts.
Driven by desperation
Motivated to act because of a desperate situation.
Driven by desperation, he worked three jobs to make ends meet.
Common Curiosities
Which vowel is used before Desperation?
Typically "a" as in "a sense of desperation."
What is the verb form of Desperation?
"Despair."
What is the root word of Desperation?
The root word is "despair."
What is the pronunciation of Desperation?
/ˌdɛspəˈreɪʃən/
Which article is used with Desperation?
"The" or "a," depending on context.
Why is it called Desperation?
It's called "Desperation" derived from the Latin word "desperatio" meaning "despair."
What is the singular form of Desperation?
"Desperation."
Which conjunction is used with Desperation?
Any conjunction can be used based on the context.
What is the plural form of Desperation?
"Desperations," although it's rarely used in plural.
Is Desperation a countable noun?
No.
Is Desperation a collective noun?
No.
Is the Desperation term a metaphor?
No, but it can be used metaphorically in some contexts.
Is Desperation a vowel or consonant?
"Desperation" is a word made up of both vowels and consonants.
How many syllables are in Desperation?
Four syllables.
How do we divide Desperation into syllables?
Des-per-a-tion.
What is the second form of Desperation?
N/A
Which preposition is used with Desperation?
"In" as in "in desperation."
Is Desperation a negative or positive word?
Negative.
Is the word Desperation imperative?
No.
What is the third form of Desperation?
N/A
Is Desperation an abstract noun?
Yes, it refers to a state or feeling.
What is a stressed syllable in Desperation?
The second syllable, "per."
What is the opposite of Desperation?
"Hope" or "Optimism."
How is Desperation used in a sentence?
"Her voice trembled with desperation as she asked for help."
Is Desperation an adverb?
No.
What is another term for Desperation?
"Despondency."
Which determiner is used with Desperation?
"The," "this," "that" depending on the context.
Is Desperation a noun or adjective?
It's a noun.
What part of speech is Desperation?
It's a noun.
What is the first form of Desperation?
"Desperation."
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
