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

“It’s a desperate ploy by somebody who understands that he’s in a fight for his life,” Harrison said of Graham’s recent political play.

From Essence.com

According to Gerard Bush, who co-wrote and co-directed the movie with his husband Christopher Renz, he dreamed that a desperate woman was trying to reach out across the dimensions for help.

From Washington Blade

Six months later, we're back to the old normal — even though many remain desperate for assistance.

From Axios

By contrast, Quasimodo is literally confined physically to the “closet” of the church, but his longing for freedom is soaring and desperate and inspiring.

From Vox

While Kumar and his team were thinking about how to keep the business afloat, they were spurred into action because of the desperate calls they were getting from their guide partners, some even requesting small loans to make ends meet.

From Quartz

We might have thought The Comeback was about a desperate actress's shameless struggle for fame.

From The Daily Beast

Brinsley got out of jail last July, and was desperate and aimless.

From The Daily Beast

After what seemed a desperate eternity, a doctor shook his head.

From The Daily Beast

Sam watches her fall apart, tear herself apart and is desperate.

From The Daily Beast

Then he began stuttering the word “I … I … I …” as if he were making a last desperate attempt to define himself.

From The Daily Beast

The remaining one struggled for another half-minute, and flared up in one last, desperate effort.

From Project Gutenberg

The letter was the swift and desperate sequel to several days' absolutely sterile reflection.

From Project Gutenberg

But the desperate resistance they encountered compelled them to abandon the island with the loss of 25,000 men.

From Project Gutenberg

They are sometimes obstinate and are desperate fighters, squealing and neighing on all occasions.

From Project Gutenberg

He will rattle on in Spanish till Herr S. gets desperate, and tries to reduce him to order.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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