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

With linear TV viewership in decline for everything besides live sports, networks are desperate to secure scripted hits.

Read more on Salon

The decision will be over Wood, whom England were desperate – and may still be – to unleash on a spicy Optus Stadium surface.

Read more on BBC

But he was desperate to find a floor general to lead his Trojan offense.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Carole says she and John are desperate "to find out who it is, as everybody is".

Read more on BBC

This at the same time she’s desperate to encourage pension fund-managers and savers to invest more.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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