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desperately

[des-per-it-lee, -prit-] / ˈdɛs pər ɪt li, -prɪt- /


ADVERB
frightfully
Synonyms
Antonyms
WEAK


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.

See Examples For:

“We desperately need to address the cost of housing. It is the single biggest driver of the cost of living here in L.A.,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

Claire desperately needs a charge, so she knocks on the door of her previously unmet neighbor across the hall, Oliver, to see if she can borrow the necessary device.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 10, 2026

A Water UK spokesperson said they "desperately" wanted to supply the resource needed by data centres, but needed authorisation to invest ahead of demand.

From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026

Clutching a photograph of his missing son, Rajesh Ram is pinning his hopes on DNA testing -- like thousands of others desperately seeking relatives swept away by Nepal's catastrophic Himalayan floods.

From Barron's ● Oct. 2, 2026

Mr. Shareef reached up from inside the shelter, desperately grasping for his son.

From "The Wild Robot Escapes" by Peter Brown


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