desperately

adverb

des·​per·​ate·​ly ˈde-sp(ə-)rət-lē 

-spərt-

1

: in a way that involves despair, extreme measures, or rashness : in a desperate manner

struggling desperately

desperately crying out

2

: extremely, terribly

desperately tired

desperately important

Synonyms of desperately

• extremely
• terribly
• badly
• incredibly
• very
• too
• so
• really
• damn
• damned
• highly
• severely
• seriously
• intensely
• that
• greatly
• far
• especially
• wildly
• fiercely
• heavily
• much

Examples of desperately in a Sentence

all of a sudden everything went desperately wrong

Recent Examples on the Web

But the Flyers desperately need a power-play quarterback. —Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 4 June 2026

On Tuesday, most speakers supported the proposal, saying it is desperately needed. —Jennifer Borrasso, CBS News, 3 June 2026

One such prize, the Nancy, was transporting 2,000 muskets, 30 tons of musket balls and a massive 15-inch brass mortar – supplies the American army desperately needed for the war effort. —Christopher Magra, The Conversation, 2 June 2026

The offenses suddenly stalled as each team desperately searched for the go-ahead tally. —Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 2 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

desperate + -ly entry 2

First Known Use

circa 1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1