desperate

des·per·ate

adjective \ˈdes-p(ə-)rət, -pərt\

Definition of DESPERATE

1

a : having lost hope <a desperate spirit crying for relief>

b : giving no ground for hope <the outlook was desperate>

2

a : moved by despair <victims made desperate by abuse>

b : involving or employing extreme measures in an attempt to escape defeat or frustration <made a desperate leap for the rope>

3

: suffering extreme need or anxiety <desperate for money>

4

: involving extreme danger or possible disaster <a desperate situation>

5

: of extreme intensity

6

: shocking, outrageous

— des·per·ate·ness noun

Examples of DESPERATE

1. The collapse of her business had made her desperate.
2. As the supply of food ran out, people became desperate.
3. We could hear their desperate cries for help.
4. a desperate struggle to defeat the enemy
5. He made a desperate bid to save his job.
6. They made one last desperate attempt to fight their way out.

Origin of DESPERATE

Latin desperatus, past participle of desperare

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to DESPERATE

Synonyms

despairing, despondent, forlorn, hopeless

Antonyms

hopeful, optimistic

Related Words

blue, brokenhearted, crestfallen, dejected, depressed, disconsolate, doleful, down, downcast, downhearted, gloomy, glum, hangdog, heartbroken, heartsick, heartsore, inconsolable, joyless, low, low-spirited, melancholy, miserable, mournful, sad, saddened, sorrowful, sorry, unhappy, woebegone, woeful, wretched; abject, disappointed, discouraged, disheartened, dispirited; grieving, wailing, weeping; bleak, cheerless, comfortless, dark, depressing, desolate, dismal, drear, dreary, funereal; cynical, pessimistic; accepting, resigned

Near Antonyms

ecstatic, elated, enraptured, entranced, euphoric, exhilarated, exuberant, exultant; blithe, blithesome, gay, jocund, jolly, jovial, lightsome, merry, mirthful; encouraged, heartened; animated, jaunty, lively, perky, sprightful, sprightly, vivacious; blissful, buoyant, cheerful, cheery, chipper, delighted, glad, gladdened, gladsome, gleeful, happy, joyful, joyous, jubilant, sunny, upbeat

See Synonym Discussion at despondent