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View synonyms for

desperate

[ des-per-it, -prit ]

adjective

  1. reckless or dangerous because of despair, hopelessness, or urgency:

    a desperate killer.

    Synonyms: ,

    Antonyms:

  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:

    Antonyms:

  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: ,

    Antonyms:



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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈٱ, adverb
  • ˈٱԱ, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • ··ٱ· adverb
  • ··ٱ·Ա noun
  • ܲ·-··ٱ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of desperate1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin ŧŧٳܲ, past participle of ŧŧ “to be without hope, despair”; despair, -ate 1
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Word History and Origins

Origin of desperate1

C15: from Latin ŧŧ to have no hope; see despair
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Synonym Study

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The following should be alarm sirens for anyone desperate for some hope that Trump's “shock and awe” campaign and political power are getting weaker.

From

"The most desperate of the lot is the small tortoise shell which many people know and love as a garden butterfly," Mr Griffiths said.

From

That set the stage for a desperate push from the Oilers, who put 15 shots on net in the final period, the last Bouchard’s tying goal that sent the game to overtime.

From

UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, wrote on X that the strike "generated panic and fear of renewed violence among those desperate for a return to normalcy".

From

The Oilers, desperate to get back in the series, benched goalie Stuart Skinner, who allowed 11 goals in the first two games, in favor of Calvin Pickard.

From

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