Determination is positive. It is a strong individual drive. It means you strive for something without being necessarilly pushed into it by external forces or factors. It is a matter of will. Desperation is negative. read more
desperation | determination | As nouns the difference between desperation and determination is that desperation is the act of despairing or becoming desperate; a giving up of hope while determination is the act of determining, or the state of being determined. read more
The main difference between desperation and determination is their connotation. Determination has a positive connotation while desperation has a negative connotation. This is why they essentially mean the same thing, but are used in different ways to convey certain feelings. read more