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desperado

[des-puh-rah-doh, -ray-] / ˌdɛs pəˈrɑ doʊ, -ˈreɪ- /


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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Still, with his chest-hugging T-shirt and rugged handsomeness, Mr. Bernthal recalls John Travolta in his early prime rather than the sweaty, disheveled but endearing desperado memorably created by Mr. Pacino.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 31, 2026

But it seems clear that there was no reason to approach him so aggressively, as though he were some armed desperado fleeing a murder scene.

From Washington Post ● Jan. 28, 2023

He’s an oddly upper-class desperado, like Townes Van Zandt.

From New York Times ● Nov. 28, 2022

You’d think Kuehl, 81, was some kind of desperado.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2022

“Just fine,” she said, and wondered who else in Maycomb still remembered Scout Finch, juvenile desperado, hell- raiser extraordinary.

From "Go Set a Watchman: A Novel" by Harper Lee

Qf6, and no amount of desperadoes can deflect White’s mating attack.

From Washington Times ● Oct. 11, 2022

“It’s telling our history, about citrus wars, about Chicano murals, about the Black Panther Party, about desperadoes — all of those stories.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 19, 2017

Tonight the Gunslinger awkwardly transitioned from roughing it with the desperadoes to next-day in a war-wagon taking him and Lawrence to the prison.

From New York Times ● Oct. 23, 2016

His experience pursuing desperadoes and fugitives—and once being a fugitive himself—allowed Hester to think like his prey.

From Slate ● Mar. 4, 2016

Tom found these people cowards and, therefore, more contemptible than the desperadoes who risked their lives to hold up a train.

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann

The Special Operations Division of the DEA often goes overseas to capture desperados with elaborate undercover stings.

From Salon ● Oct. 11, 2022

You’ve turned some of the state’s women into desperados.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 10, 2022

Either way, this is an easy watch, especially with a glass of wine, a bowl of crisps, looking at these ripped desperados, and asking yourself, “Who’s really winning?”

From The Guardian ● Jun. 8, 2020

After an infield single by Carlos Correa loaded the bases for rookie slugger Yordan Álvarez, this looked like a horrid night for desperados, even in Nats gear.

From Washington Post ● Oct. 23, 2019

Tragic and heroic memories haunted that blue sea, and although luxurious mail boats plowed it now, the passions of the old desperados still burned in the hearts of men.

From The Coast of Adventure by Harold Bindloss


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