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

"I think there was a desperate loss of faith from the business community in general from the last Budget," he says.

From BBC

"Some services are desperate to dispense the stuff and don't care what happens," claims Professor Richard Donnelly, editor of medical journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.

From BBC

By this summer, Naples officials were getting desperate.

From Salon

In desperate need of a break just before halftime, USC got a gift at the goal line.

From Los Angeles Times

Even on the government payroll one minister worries, "the country is desperate for a disrupter, and it's just not who he is," questioning whether Starmer can be the right man for this political moment.

From BBC

Related Words

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