1. To intentionally foster, encourage, or develop a state of desperation in oneself or others; to nurture feelings of hopelessness or urgency as a motivational or manipulative strategy
The coach would cultivate desperation in his team before championship games to push them to their limits.
O treinador cultivava o desespero em seu time antes dos jogos de campeonato para levá-los ao limite.
2. To deliberately create conditions of desperation to achieve a desired outcome or pressure someone into action
The negotiator knew how to cultivate desperation in her opponents to gain leverage.
A negociadora sabia como cultivar desespero em seus oponentes para ganhar vantagem.