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

Yet, the case is entirely relevant, its ruling important, and intervention desperately needed. —Kimberly Bird, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 May 2026

As Hearts desperately sought an equalizer, Schwolow went upfield for a late set piece only for Celtic to break and put the game beyond doubt through Osmand. —ABC News, 16 May 2026

As college athletic departments desperately look for money to pay mostly football and men’s basketball players, dumping a golf, tennis, track or swimming and diving program is an easy way to help with the budget. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2026

With the bye week landing in October, the Bills will desperately need a chance to regroup after that gantlet through the holidays. —Tim Graham, New York Times, 15 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

desperate + -ly entry 2

First Known Use

circa 1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1