desperado
noun
des·per·a·do
ˌde-spə-ˈrä-(ˌ)dō 
-ˈrā-
plural desperadoes or desperados
: a bold or violent criminal
especially
: a bandit of the western U.S. in the 19th century
Examples of desperado in a Sentence
the notorious desperados of the Wild West
Recent Examples on the Web
Martín Ramírez’s large Caballero features a magnificent desperado pointing his gun as his almost-hieroglyphic horse rears its head — a brilliant universal altarpiece.
—
Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2024
The respectfully flirtatious dynamic between Cobby and his friend’s shrink feels more formulaic, but effective enough, as Dr. Rivera’s presence gives these two desperados (one of whom was badly shot during the robbery) reason to live.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 1 Aug. 2024
The true story of the formerly enslaved man who became the first Black deputy U.S. marshal comes to life on Lawmen: Bass Reeves, an eight-episode series starring David Oyelowo as the storied gunslinger who arrested some 3,000 desperados without ever suffering a single wound.
—EW.com, 5 Nov. 2023
Actually, the two would-be desperadoes might have fared better going up against the late, great action star.
—Joe Leydon, Variety, 3 Aug. 2023
See all Example Sentences for desperado 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2024
The respectfully flirtatious dynamic between Cobby and his friend’s shrink feels more formulaic, but effective enough, as Dr. Rivera’s presence gives these two desperados (one of whom was badly shot during the robbery) reason to live.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 1 Aug. 2024
The true story of the formerly enslaved man who became the first Black deputy U.S. marshal comes to life on Lawmen: Bass Reeves, an eight-episode series starring David Oyelowo as the storied gunslinger who arrested some 3,000 desperados without ever suffering a single wound.
—EW.com, 5 Nov. 2023
Actually, the two would-be desperadoes might have fared better going up against the late, great action star.
—Joe Leydon, Variety, 3 Aug. 2023
See all Example Sentences for desperado
Dictionary Entries Near desperado
Cite this Entry
“Desperado.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/desperado. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
desperado
noun
des·per·a·do
ˌdes-pə-ˈräd-ō
-ˈrād-
plural desperadoes or desperados
: a bold or reckless criminal
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share