Desperation (noun)

1. A state of despair; hopelessness.
2. A state of extreme need or fear.

Origin:

Middle english: from old french, from latin desperatio(n-), from desperare "lose hope", from de- "completely" + sperare "hope".

Examples:

1. The refugees were in a state of desperation.
2. The situation was desperate and something had to be done.
3. He was driven to desperation and decided to take drastic measures.
4. The child's cries of desperation could be heard throughout the house.
5. The company was in a state of financial desperation.