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

Mr Dujarric said access to the three barely functional hospitals there also remained severely restricted, amid what he called "desperate shortages" of medical supplies and fuel.

From BBC

With so many people so desperate to move westwards, one of the British Government’s prime tasks, if it is to keep its promise to reduce illegal arrivals, is to start cracking Turkey’s people-smuggling model.

From BBC

He added that hundreds of people desperate for food had tried to storm the Unrwa-run vocational centre in the southern city of Khan Younis because they thought the aid had been delivered there.

From BBC

The Lakers, desperate to add shooting for seemingly the 100th consecutive offseason, got one of the best available in college basketball.

From Los Angeles Times

Mrs Justice Morgan said Ms Braqi loved Ayden "with a devotion which is hard to put into words" adding that the case was one of "desperate sadness".

From BBC

Related Words

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