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

Teams throughout the league are desperate to add a right-handed hitter to their outfield mix. — Tim Britton, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026

But for a team desperate to shore up the back end of their rotation with someone who can gobble up quality innings, Colorado could get a prospect or two in return for the Japanese veteran. — Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 2 Aug. 2026

In California, an incredibly tight housing market and high rents are fueling a new generation of real estate scams that take advantage of people desperate to find an affordable place to live. — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026

Families and search crews returned to the Passaic River Friday in a desperate search to find a missing 10-year-old girl. — Elijah Westbrook, CBS News, 31 July 2026