Synonyms

desperately

American

[des-per-it-lee, -prit-] / ˈdɛs pər ɪt li, -prɪt- /

adverb

in a reckless or dangerous way because of hopelessness or urgency.

In the movie, he’s the object of an intense police manhunt and scrambles desperately around Belfast trying to escape.
in a way that shows urgent need or desire.

He is highly motivated to put his all into everything he does, trying desperately to prove himself.
to a very serious or dangerous degree that leaves little hope.

People without medical insurance may often suffer without care until they are desperately ill.
extremely or excessively.

My weekend will be desperately dull, as I've been on vacation all week and have to catch up with work.

Other Word Forms

quasi-desperately adverb

Etymology

Origin of desperately

desperate ( def. ) + -ly

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.

I think the reason they brought Jeff Daniels in is to highlight why Jimmy so desperately wants Paul’s affection.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

The opportunity to actually engage with the multitude of conditions that may incite that violence feels unique and desperately needed.

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026

The CIA "executed a deception campaign to confuse the Iranians, who were desperately hunting for our airmen," whom Washington located as of Saturday morning, Ratcliffe said, without providing details on the deception efforts.

From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026

“AI companies are desperately in need of training data and what Mercor is doing demonstrates the lengths they will go to pay for it,” he adds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

She threw out her hands, grasping desperately for the railing, and found it.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz

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