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 Another tragic accident off our coastline in San Diego reminds us how desperate many migrants are. Laura Castañeda, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 May 2025 That’s the type of thing that Ava knows is really desperate. Alison Herman, Variety, 9 May 2025 Much of this stems from Cena’s early efforts to meld both worlds — what began as a desperate bid to save his WWE career ended up bridging a gap between music and wrestling, one that remains tightly connected to this day. Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 9 May 2025 Surely Russia, desperate for a deal, would give up its opposition to such assurances. Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for desperate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desperate
Adjective
  • Those nurses never stopped fighting for Mattie, even as her situation seemed hopeless.
    Erin Clack, People.com, 10 May 2025
  • While critical gaps in testing still remain, innovation has ignited a diagnostic boom that has transformed the AIDS fight from hopeless to winnable.
    Jennifer Lotito, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • However, the Palestinians are unhappy with the speed of FIFA’s inquiries.
    Adam Crafton, New York Times, 16 May 2025
  • Their presidential candidate, Erika Meza, a 25-year veteran teacher from the Southeast Side, is unhappy with what CTU has come to symbolize.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • After the show, there's booze, girls, and hotel suites, but Abel's locked in the bathroom, being sad.
    Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 15 May 2025
  • For someone who prizes roadside Americana, this is the visual version of the sad trombone sound.
    Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • Investors hoping reduced trade tensions could push stocks to new heights will most likely be left disappointed, according to JPMorgan.
    Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 15 May 2025
  • The late Supreme Court Justice David Souter, for example, disappointed President George H.W. Bush, who expected a reliable New Hampshire reactionary.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • The film necessarily presents a despairing view of America as its 20th-century glory days recede into the distance, but Schrader isn’t one to shirk away from some form of hope for his isolated priest.
    Vikram Murthi, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2025
  • These lines represent Elisabeth at her most despairing.
    Elizabeth Djinis, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Is this a cynical attempt to rescue their party from a political free fall?
    John Opdycke, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 May 2025
  • And so Lee’s reinterpretation strains to leave us on a high instead of a low, as befits the finale of an update so compellingly eager to flip the script on one of Kurosawa’s most cynical films.
    David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • Carey is despondent and gets out of the car, walking all the way to Julie and Paul’s through swampy water as the titles play over Dabney Morris and David Wingo’s jaunty score.
    Esther Zuckerman, IndieWire, 19 May 2025
  • One half of Wembley was despondent and increasingly empty.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • After everyone left, her husband apologized for his mother’s absence and thanked her for her hard work, but the experience left her heartbroken.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 8 May 2025
  • Stacy Melo, an east Arlington resident, told the City Council that she was left heartbroken and shocked the last time TotalEnergies came before council.
    Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Desperate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desperate. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

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