desperate

American  

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

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

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noun

1. Obsolete. a desperado.

desperate British  

/ 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

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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

It’s played less for irony and more as context for the relatable world that the directing Philippou brothers built for Sally Hawkins’ desperate pain.

From Los Angeles Times

"I know that the boat my son was on sank, but we haven't been shown his body, so to say that the boy is dead, I just don't know," the desperate father told AFP.

From Barron's

But members of the coalition say Edison’s program is forcing the victims who are the most desperate for financial support to give up their legal right to fair compensation.

From Los Angeles Times

Now neither Atkinson nor Bashir are in the XI for Adelaide, and Smith must somehow find something after a desperate display in Brisbane.

From BBC

Brambila, 21, has been the subject of searches in the last month, and his family waged a desperate campaign on social media asking for help finding him.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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