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desperate
[ des-per-it, -prit ]
adjective
- reckless or dangerous because of despair, hopelessness, or urgency:
a desperate killer.
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.
Antonyms: hopeful
noun
- Obsolete. a desperado.
desperate
/ 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
- oftenpostpositive and foll by for in distress and having a great need or desire
- 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
Word History and Origins
Origin of desperate1
Synonym Study
Example Sentences
We might have thought The Comeback was about a desperate actress's shameless struggle for fame.
Brinsley got out of jail last July, and was desperate and aimless.
After what seemed a desperate eternity, a doctor shook his head.
Sam watches her fall apart, tear herself apart and is desperate.
Then he began stuttering the word “I … I … I …” as if he were making a last desperate attempt to define himself.
The remaining one struggled for another half-minute, and flared up in one last, desperate effort.
The letter was the swift and desperate sequel to several days' absolutely sterile reflection.
But the desperate resistance they encountered compelled them to abandon the island with the loss of 25,000 men.
They are sometimes obstinate and are desperate fighters, squealing and neighing on all occasions.
He will rattle on in Spanish till Herr S. gets desperate, and tries to reduce him to order.
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