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Definitions

desperate

[des-per-it, -prit] / ˈdɛs pər ɪt, -prɪt /
ADJECTIVE
reckless, outrageous
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bold dangerous daring determined frantic frenzied furious violent
STRONG
madcap precipitate rash wild
WEAK
atrocious audacious careless death-defying devil-may-care foolhardy hasty hazardous headlong headstrong heinous impetuous incautious monstrous risky scandalous shocking venturesome
Antonyms
STRONGEST
afraid calm cowardly fearful meek mild moderate peaceful quiet shy timid weak
WEAK
content contented hopeful satisfactory satisfied secure unworried
ADJECTIVE
extreme, intense
Synonyms
STRONGEST
critical dire fierce furious great terrible urgent violent
STRONG
acute climacteric
WEAK
concentrated crucial drastic exquisite vehement very grave vicious
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm gentle good mild moderate nice peaceful trivial unimportant
WEAK
content contented hopeful satisfactory satisfied secure unworried
ADJECTIVE
hopeless
Synonyms
STRONGEST
despondent forlorn futile sad vain
STRONG
downcast goner
WEAK
at end of one's rope back to the wall can't win dead duck despairing desponding gone hard up in the soup in the toilet inconsolable irrecoverable irremediable irretrievable no chance no-win running out of time sunk up against it up the creek useless wretched
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cheerful happy hopeful joyful
WEAK
calm confident content contented satisfactory satisfied secure unworried

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.

That's how desperate Mark Williams is to win a fourth world title.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

The Sabres were so desperate that in 2024 they brought back Lindy Ruff, the coach who last led them to the postseason more than a decade earlier.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

But a 2021 set at a notorious homeless encampment in Oakland earned backlash from advocates, who said the band was taking advantage of desperate people to throw aesthetically nihilistic punk shows.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

There’s precedent for companies to attempt dramatic — or desperate —pivots in an attempt to capitalize on hot trends.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

Wolf’s desperate tugging on the leash broke her panic.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

Vocabulary lists containing desperate

List 8

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"Sorry, Wrong Number," Vocabulary from the play

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Commonly Misspelled Words, List 4

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