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. oftenpostpositive and foll by for in distress and having a great need or desire
6. moved by or showing despair or hopelessness; despairing

Derived Forms

• ˈdesperately, adverb
• ˈdesperateness, noun

Other Words From

• des·per·ate·ly adverb
• des·per·ate·ness noun
• qua·si-des·per·ate 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

The plot centers on thousands of impoverished Indian farmers who commandeer a fleet and sail, dirty, uncivilized and desperate, to France, where a small resistance is all that stands in the way from their overrunning the country.

From Salon

The Bengals have been a bit more up and down lately, but they’re desperate.

From Los Angeles Times

He said he cared deeply about his patients - like other pharmacy teams - but he has never experienced a situation as desperate as this.

From BBC

“No one deserves the fate of being executed and then set on fire in the middle of the desert in a desperate attempt by a killer to cover up his crimes.”

From Los Angeles Times

It is a temporary casino and very sad and desperate in its energy.

From Salon

Related Words

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