desperate

[ des-per-it, -prit ]

/ ˈdɛs pər ɪt, -prɪt /

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See synonyms for desperate on Thesaurus.com

adjective

reckless or dangerous because of despair, hopelessness, or urgency: a desperate killer.

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.

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.

noun

Obsolete. a desperado.

OTHER WORDS FOR desperate

1 rash, frantic.

3 grave.

8 forlorn, desolate.

See synonyms for desperate on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR desperate

1 careful.

3, 8 hopeful.

See antonyms for desperate on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

ALL IN FAVO(U)R OF THIS BRITISH VS. AMERICAN ENGLISH QUIZ

There's an ocean of difference between the way people speak English in the US vs. the UK. Are your language skills up to the task of telling the difference? Let's find out!

Question 1 of 7

True or false? British English and American English are only different when it comes to slang words.

true

false

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of desperate

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin dēspērātus, past participle of dēspērāre “to be without hope, despair”; see despair, -ate¹

synonym study for desperate

3. See hopeless.

OTHER WORDS FROM desperate

des·per·ate·ly, adverbdes·per·ate·ness, nounqua·si-des·per·ate, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH desperate

desperate , disparate

Words nearby desperate

despair, despairing, despatch, Despenser, desperado, desperate, desperately, desperation, despicable, despise, despite

How to use desperate in a sentence

“It’s a desperate ploy by somebody who understands that he’s in a fight for his life,” Harrison said of Graham’s recent political play.
Jaime Harrison Says He Feels ‘A Little Sad’ For Lindsey Graham|Hope Wright|September 17, 2020|Essence.com
According to Gerard Bush, who co-wrote and co-directed the movie with his husband Christopher Renz, he dreamed that a desperate woman was trying to reach out across the dimensions for help.
‘Antebellum’ explores truths of our ugly past|Brian T. Carney|September 16, 2020|Washington Blade
Six months later, we're back to the old normal — even though many remain desperate for assistance.
Congress lacks urgency for more economic stimulus|Alayna Treene|September 11, 2020|Axios
By contrast, Quasimodo is literally confined physically to the “closet” of the church, but his longing for freedom is soaring and desperate and inspiring.
Toward a queer Disney canon|Emily VanDerWerff|September 4, 2020|Vox

While Kumar and his team were thinking about how to keep the business afloat, they were spurred into action because of the desperate calls they were getting from their guide partners, some even requesting small loans to make ends meet.
Indians holiday around the world during the pandemic—from inside their living rooms|Manavi Kapur|August 21, 2020|Quartz
We might have thought The Comeback was about a desperate actress's shameless struggle for fame.
‘The Comeback’ Finale: Give Lisa Kudrow All of the Awards|Kevin Fallon|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Brinsley got out of jail last July, and was desperate and aimless.
Alleged Cop Killer Ismaaiyl Brinsley Had a Death Wish|M.L. Nestel|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After what seemed a desperate eternity, a doctor shook his head.
'Please Don't Die!': The Frantic Battle to Save Murdered Cops|Michael Daly|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Sam watches her fall apart, tear herself apart and is desperate.
Grief: The Real Monster in The Babadook|Tim Teeman|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Then he began stuttering the word “I … I … I …” as if he were making a last desperate attempt to define himself.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The remaining one struggled for another half-minute, and flared up in one last, desperate effort.
The Boarded-Up House|Augusta Huiell Seaman
The letter was the swift and desperate sequel to several days' absolutely sterile reflection.
Hilda Lessways|Arnold Bennett
But the desperate resistance they encountered compelled them to abandon the island with the loss of 25,000 men.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
They are sometimes obstinate and are desperate fighters, squealing and neighing on all occasions.
Our Little Korean Cousin|H. Lee M. Pike
He will rattle on in Spanish till Herr S. gets desperate, and tries to reduce him to order.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay

British Dictionary definitions for desperate

desperate

/ (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 resortdesperate measures

critical; very gravein desperate need

(often postpositive and foll by for) in distress and having a great need or desire

moved by or showing despair or hopelessness; despairing

Derived forms of desperate

desperately, adverbdesperateness, noun

Word Origin for desperate

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

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

desperate

OTHER WORDS FOR desperate

OPPOSITES FOR desperate

Origin of desperate

synonym study for desperate

OTHER WORDS FROM desperate

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH desperate

Words nearby desperate

Words related to desperate

How to use desperate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for desperate

Derived forms of desperate

Word Origin for desperate