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.

Raman has been delivering a similarly complicated message, expressing deep respect for the mayor while arguing that the city is in desperate need of change.

From Los Angeles Times

Tuipulotu said on Friday his team were desperate and he wanted to see that desperation visited upon England.

From BBC

A series of desperate texts to Sam went unanswered.

From The Wall Street Journal

Desperate times call for desperate measures, or so the saying goes.

From BBC

"He's desperate to stand on his own two feet," Ramsay said, but he urged Brooklyn to remember "one day you're not going to have your Mum and Dad".

From BBC

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