What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
desperation
Example
The refugees were in a state of desperation, having lost everything they owned. [desperation: noun]
Example
He acted out of desperation when he stole the bread to feed his family. [desperation: noun]
Example
She felt a sense of desperation to succeed in her career. [desperation: noun]
despair
Example
She fell into a state of despair after losing her job. [despair: noun]
Example
He was filled with despair when he heard the news of his father's death. [despair: noun]
Example
The team was in despair after losing the championship game. [despair: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Despair is more commonly used than desperation in everyday language. Despair is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts, while desperation is less common and tends to be used in more urgent or extreme situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between desperation and despair?
Both desperation and despair can be used in formal and informal contexts, although despair may be considered slightly more formal due to its wider usage in literature and academic writing.
