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Definition of desperate
1a : having lost hope a desperate spirit crying for reliefb : giving no ground for hope the outlook was desperate
2a : moved by despair or utter loss of hope victims made desperate by abuseb : 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 desperate to escape celebrities desperate for attention
4 : involving extreme danger or possible disaster a desperate situation
5 : of extreme intensity … a desperate languor descended heavily upon her, and she slept … — Elinor Wylie
6 : shocking, outrageous
desperateness
nounPeople Are Reading
Examples of desperate in a Sentence
The collapse of her business had made her desperate.
As the supply of food ran out, people became desperate.
We could hear their desperate cries for help.
a desperate struggle to defeat the enemy
He made a desperate bid to save his job.
They made one last desperate attempt to fight their way out.
Recent Examples of desperate from the Web
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Inside Mosul’s Old City, civilians fleeing Iraqi advance are increasingly desperate.
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Clark Wade/IndyStar INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Pacers, in desperate need of a suitable point guard, will add Darren Collison to next season’s roster.
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The offense is desperate for someone with his explosiveness.
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As has become a familiar frustration to blockchain enthusiasts in recent days, Coinbase went offline at the worst possible time, just as extreme price swings in the cryptocurrencies made investors desperate to buy or sell.
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Blue Water BBQ, The Wharf, Orange Beach Orange Beach was in desperate need for a good barbecue joint so when Blue Water BBQ Co. opened its doors a few weeks ago at The Wharf in Orange Beach many folks were excited.
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But for the Hornets, a team in desperate need of a backup point guard, Mitchell’s playmaking ability and tenacious defense would be a welcome fit.
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As the NBA Finals shift to Cleveland for Games 3 and 4, the Cavaliers face an 0-2 hole for the second straight season, in desperate need of a win to keep the series alive.
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Despite its desperate need for soldiers, the Confederacy did not relent from this position until a few months before Lee’s surrender.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'desperate'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of desperate
Latin desperatus, past participle of desperare —see 1despair
Synonym Discussion of desperate
DESPERATE Defined for English Language Learners
desperate
playDefinition of desperate for English Language Learners
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: very sad and upset because of having little or no hope : feeling or showing despair
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: very bad or difficult to deal with
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: done with all of your strength or energy and with little hope of succeeding
DESPERATE Defined for Kids
desperate
playDefinition of desperate for Students
1 : very sad and worried and with little or no hope People became desperate for food.
2 : showing great worry and loss of hope a desperate call for help
3 : giving little reason to hope : causing despair a desperate situation
4 : reckless because of despair : rash He made a desperate attempt to escape.
5 : very severe The injury is in desperate need of attention.
Learn More about desperate
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for desperate Spanish Central: Translation of desperate Nglish: Translation of desperate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of desperate for Arabic speakers
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