desperation

sheer

quiet

growing

As the deadline approached, there was a growing desperation among the team to finish the project.

hint, note

She detected a hint of desperation in his eyes when he asked for help.

feel

drive sb to

Financial hardship drove her to desperation, so she took the first job she could find.

in (your) ~

She called her ex-boyfriend in desperation when her car broke down and she had no one else to help.

out of ~

She agreed to take the job out of desperation when her savings ran out.

~ about/at

She expressed her desperation about finding a job after months of searching.

an act of desperation

She quit her job without another offer lined up, which was an act of desperation.

courage, strength, etc. born of desperation

He found courage born of desperation when his child was trapped in the car.