Synonyms

desperate

American

[des-per-it, -prit] / ˈdɛs pər ɪt, -prɪt /

adjective

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

a desperate killer.

Synonyms:

frantic, rash

Antonyms:

careful
having an urgent need, desire, etc..

desperate for attention;
desperate to find a job.
leaving little or no hope; very serious or dangerous.

a desperate illness.

Synonyms:

grave

Antonyms:

hopeful
extremely bad; intolerable or shocking.

clothes in desperate taste.
extreme or excessive.
making a final, ultimate effort; giving all.

a desperate attempt to save a life.
actuated by a feeling of hopelessness.
having no hope; giving in to despair.

Synonyms:

desolate, forlorn

Antonyms:

hopeful

noun

Obsolete. a desperado.

desperate British

/ ˈdɛspərɪt, -prɪt /

adjective

careless of danger, as from despair; utterly reckless
(of an act) reckless; risky
used or undertaken in desperation or as a last resort

desperate measures
critical; very grave

in desperate need
in distress and having a great need or desire
moved by or showing despair or hopelessness; despairing

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See hopeless.

Other Word Forms

desperately adverb
desperateness noun
quasi-desperate adjective

Etymology

Origin of desperate

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He will not only offer defensive cover, but has proved he can be an attacking weapon, albeit a very basic one, if it comes to a desperate search for a goal.

From BBC

Before he was the ace for the Seattle Mariners, Logan Gilbert was a burgeoning right-hander in desperate need of a new pitch for his arsenal.

From The Wall Street Journal

Seattle trailed 12-7 when quarterback Russell Wilson unleashed a desperate heave to the end zone in the final seconds.

From The Wall Street Journal

Not only will Howe be desperate to generate some momentum and finish the campaign on a high - the hierarchy, clearly, expect a strong return from the final seven games of the season.

From BBC

To his right, an asphalt lot in desperate need of repair.

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023