DESPERATE Synonyms: 101 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'desperate' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of desperate are despairing , despondent , and hopeless . While all these words mean "having lost all or nearly all hope," desperate implies despair that prompts reckless action or violence in the face of defeat or frustration. // one last desperate attempt to turn the tide of battle

Q: Where would 'despairing' be a reasonable alternative to 'desperate'?

While the synonyms despairing and desperate are close in meaning, despairing suggests the slipping away of all hope and often despondency. // despairing appeals for the return of the kidnapped child

Q: When might 'despondent' be a better fit than 'desperate'?

The words despondent and desperate can be used in similar contexts, but despondent implies a deep dejection arising from a conviction of the uselessness of further effort. // despondent about yet another rejection

Q: In what contexts can 'hopeless' take the place of 'desperate'?

The meanings of hopeless and desperate largely overlap; however, hopeless suggests despair and the cessation of effort or resistance and often implies acceptance or resignation. // the situation of the trapped miners is hopeless

desperate

adjective

ˈde-sp(ə-)rət

Definition of desperate next

as in hopeless

feeling or showing no hope desperate cancer patients who are vulnerable to the claims of unscrupulous quacks

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How does the adjective desperate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of desperate are despairing, despondent, and hopeless. While all these words mean "having lost all or nearly all hope," desperate implies despair that prompts reckless action or violence in the face of defeat or frustration.

one last desperate attempt to turn the tide of battle

Where would despairing be a reasonable alternative to desperate?

While the synonyms despairing and desperate are close in meaning, despairing suggests the slipping away of all hope and often despondency.

despairing appeals for the return of the kidnapped child

When might despondent be a better fit than desperate?

The words despondent and desperate can be used in similar contexts, but despondent implies a deep dejection arising from a conviction of the uselessness of further effort.

despondent about yet another rejection

In what contexts can hopeless take the place of desperate?

The meanings of hopeless and desperate largely overlap; however, hopeless suggests despair and the cessation of effort or resistance and often implies acceptance or resignation.

the situation of the trapped miners is hopeless

Examples Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of desperate With the youth mental health crisis worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic and school violence affecting more K-12 students nationwide, teachers are desperate for a solution, experts say. —

Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 2 Nov. 2024 Business owners are desperate for visitors’ support. —

Maureen O'Hare, CNN, 2 Nov. 2024 Companies are desperate for help with their automations. —

Jodie Cook, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024 MacKinnon had a season-high nine shots on goal, 15 shot attempts and the overtime winner against Anaheim, when Colorado was 0-4 and desperate for a win. —

Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for desperate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for desperate

Adjective

Anyone trying to stand in the technology’s way is as hopeless as the manual weavers who resisted the mechanical looms in the early 19th century.

Nir Eisikovits, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2024
Gen Zers have been described as hopeless, creative, weird, intelligent, and more.

John Rau, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024