desperate

[des-per-it, -prit]

adjective

1. reckless or dangerous because of despair, hopelessness, or urgency.

   a desperate killer.

   Synonyms: frantic, rash
   Antonyms: careful

2. having an urgent need, desire, etc..

   desperate for attention;

   desperate to find a job.

3. leaving little or no hope; very serious or dangerous.

   a desperate illness.

   Synonyms: grave
   Antonyms: hopeful

4. extremely bad; intolerable or shocking.

   clothes in desperate taste.

5. extreme or excessive.

6. making a final, ultimate effort; giving all.

   a desperate attempt to save a life.

7. actuated by a feeling of hopelessness.

8. having no hope; giving in to despair.

   Synonyms: desolate, forlorn
   Antonyms: hopeful

noun

1. Obsolete.,  a desperado.

desperate

/ ˈdɛspərɪt, -prɪt /

adjective

1. careless of danger, as from despair; utterly reckless

2. (of an act) reckless; risky

3. used or undertaken in desperation or as a last resort

   desperate measures

4. critical; very grave

   in desperate need

5. in distress and having a great need or desire

6. moved by or showing despair or hopelessness; despairing

Other Word Forms

• desperately adverb
• desperateness noun
• quasi-desperate adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of desperate¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin dēspērātus, past participle of dēspērāre “to be without hope, despair”; despair, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of desperate¹

C15: from Latin dēspērāre to have no hope; see _despair

Synonym Study

See hopeless.

Example Sentences

Cooper said: "The situation in Gaza is desperate without the vital humanitarian support they need."

Read more on BBC

Everyone — and by everyone, I mean everyone except Andrew Friedman’s front office — knew they were in desperate need of bullpen help.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A victim of modern slavery says he was forced to crawl naked through sewers to steal electricity after trusting bogus employers in desperate times.

Read more on BBC

China's economic power, for example, presents many potential benefits for a UK desperate for growth.

Read more on BBC

Try to imagine another star at the top of pop’s pecking order comfortable with anyone, but especially their mother, describing them as desperate.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bold 
• dangerous 
• daring 
• determined 
• frantic 
• frenzied 
• furious 
• violent