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

The revelation is evidently taking its toll on Musk, who began a desperate campaign to clear his name on social media. —Joe Wilkins Published Feb 5, Futurism, 5 Feb. 2026

But all but one of the dozen African recruits currently in Ukraine who spoke with CNN were desperate to leave, including those who had previously served in their own country’s militaries. —Larry Madowo, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026

Teddy is desperate for his father’s approval. —Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 3 Feb. 2026

The family of a Brooklyn mother whose body was found stuffed in a black plastic bag inside a NYCHA complex trash compactor room is desperate to know how a fun night out with friends ended with her death and dismemberment. —Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2026