Synonyms of desperate

desperate

adjective

ˈde-sp(ə-)rət 

as in hopeless

feeling or showing no hope

desperate cancer patients who are vulnerable to the claims of unscrupulous quacks

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

Recent Examples of desperate

Over these images, two voices languidly recite what sounds like a roleplaying script, in which a desperate girl appeals to her grandpa for money. — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 11 July 2026

This time around, my starting pitcher pick is a bit more speculative, but desperate times can call for desperate measures. — John Laghezza, New York Times, 10 July 2026

As the siege escalates, loyalties are tested and selfless sacrifices are made, leading to a desperate fight for survival where not everyone will emerge alive. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 9 July 2026

Twenty years ago, European broadcasters desperate to scale — to get big or die — got turned down by regulators not yet convinced this new-fangled internet was all that. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026