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.

Seeing virtually no hope of acquittal, Brown’s attorneys were desperate to preserve the possibility of commutation.

From Slate • Apr. 2, 2026

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 • Mar. 31, 2026

For many, having the government on their side helps when they are at loggerheads with pre-teens desperate to get onto social media.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

He said many who work in the industry are growing desperate as they struggle to find work, and some are living in fear of being unable to provide for their children.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

No one, aside from Harry Glicken holding out desperate hope for Dave Johnston, thought of those as rescue flights.

From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone

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