Synonym Chooser

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

Example 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 One caveat was that other teams could become more desperate for pitching as spring goes on, which could mean the Padres are tempted by a return greater than they were offered during the offseason. Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2025 Those brought in as low-level members— such as van or boat drivers —are often financially desperate. Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 16 Feb. 2025 Meanwhile more and more citizens from chaotic parts of the world, under pressure from both dysfunctional governance and the droughts and floods of climate instability, are forced into the desperate flight to anywhere and nowhere of the refugee. Winslow Myers, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025 An employee at the Department of Education, who also spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of retaliation, said the administration appeared desperate to get people to sign the agreement. Chris Megerian, TIME, 6 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for desperate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desperate
Adjective
  • Is there a way out of our divided country’s seemingly hopeless predicament?
    Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Feb. 2025
  • People who find themselves in financial trouble sometimes consider taking drastic measures when their situation appears hopeless.
    Paulette Perhach, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Many previous Trump advisers, including Mr. Bolton, have tried to contain Mr. Trump, with unhappy results.
    Michael Crowley, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
  • Thus, Amazon knows there won't be a raft of unhappy customers complaining about losing their apps.
    Ryan Whitwam, Ars Technica, 20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Especially sad is the case of Netta, one of Liat’s three children, who survived the attack.
    Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Feb. 2025
  • But after a third season that saw Billy (Gil Bellows) strut around with a coterie of women from a Robert Palmer video before dropping dead of a brain tumor, this outing is remarkably grounded, poignant…and sad.
    EW.com, EW.com, 19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Milan will feel especially disappointed, having nearly finished high enough in the league phase standings to skip the playoff altogether.
    Jeff Rueter, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Well, the final number is $116 million — the price of disappointed early adopters not included.
    Dimitar 'Mix' Mihov, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Western allies of the United States gathered in Munich this past week, anxious, adrift and despairing in the face of President Trump’s brute display of muscle-flexing on the global stage.
    Mark Landler, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025
  • Bleak as that may sound, the musical finds rare shards of light — and an unlikely connection — in the most despairing of places.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • It’s packed with tough love, cathartic activities, and positive affirmations that won’t leave cynical folks rolling their eyes.
    Kristin Canning, SELF, 25 Feb. 2025
  • It’s been cool and cynical, surreal and silly, bold enough to make adolescents of all ages feel daring for staying up past 11:30 (or catching up on YouTube the next morning) and safe enough to keep advertisers and network executives happy.
    A.O. Scott, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Her despondent facial reaction even became a meme online.
    Lexy Perez, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Feb. 2025
  • Instead, Larson will win it behind the strength of Hendrick Motorsports, the New York Yankees of NASCAR — setting him up for another championship-contending Cup season and leaving all motorsport storytellers despondent, wondering what could’ve been.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Boldt hired 300 workers to construct the six-story, 120-room castle outfitted with a drawbridge and tower, but when Louise died suddenly in 1904, the heartbroken Boldt halted construction and never returned to the island.
    Gulnaz Khan, AFAR Media, 13 Feb. 2025
  • There are similar Valentine’s Day opportunities geared toward the heartbroken.
    Megan Forrester, ABC News, 12 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Desperate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desperate. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

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