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 Instead, Butler, 35, joins a Golden State team with a 25-24 record and 10th in the Western Conference – but desperate to rocket up the standings and make another deep playoff run with Curry at 36. The Athletic Nba Staff, The Athletic, 6 Feb. 2025 The film tracks Jorge’s mother’s desperate search for her son and for justice and accountability from both the U.S. and Mexico. Katcy Stephan, Variety, 5 Feb. 2025 There was one item that Cattaneo was desperate to find, a small pot that was given to her by her grandfather a while ago. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025 Las Vegas is in desperate need of stability at the quarterback position, having cycled through multiple quarterbacks in recent years. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for desperate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desperate
Adjective
  • Go Down Together: The True, Untold Story of Bonnie and Clyde By Jeff Guinn The Half Life of Valery K, by Natasha Pulley From its first pages, The Half Life of Valery K gets to the core of what humans facing a seemingly hopeless situation must do to carry on.
    Vanessa Armstrong, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Similarly, Eden wondered if finishing a half-Ironman just months after giving birth was hopeless.
    Matt Fuchs, TIME, 2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Witherspoon presents Margot not as some unhappy bachelorette, but as a modern, self-reliant woman.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 29 Jan. 2025
  • The Thailand-set season sees a new crop of unhappy, rich vacationers at a luxurious resort.
    Denise Petski, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • January 26, 2025: Once again, the Bills lose their playoff game against the Chiefs, sparking a bunch of sad Josh Allen edits on TikTok.
    Glamour, Glamour, 27 Jan. 2025
  • In a sad irony, her grieving family strives to live by Maggie’s words and channel her spirit.
    Faith Karimi, CNN, 26 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Sara seemed disappointed, Johnny said, but not upset.
    Ariane Lange, Sacramento Bee, 26 Jan. 2025
  • Kenny Smith seemed disappointed at the media on the broadcast when Ernie Johnson revealed the seventh-place finish.
    Zach Harper, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • There’s no shortage of things to feel negative, overwhelmed, despairing about.
    Kristin Auble, Vogue, 31 Dec. 2024
  • To shine a beacon of hope to other despairing software engineers out in the raging seas of enormous code, Hubert wrote an example application, called Trifecta, which supports image sharing online.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The cynical reactions only proved that these two young men, who have made millions as bro influencers with brand empires before age 30, are still adept at courting attention.
    Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 28 Jan. 2025
  • After all, dance pop’s supposedly liberating power has often been hijacked over the years for cynical ends, such as Target commercials and Katy Perry albums.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Many described conditions as reminiscent of the McCarthy era, and were despondent to see how quickly their office’s leaders acquiesced.
    Erica L. Green, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Verse was despondent after the game and his self-talk was brutal.
    Jourdan Rodrigue, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Our community is heartbroken and our hearts go out to everyone that's been impacted.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
  • La Plata Youth Soccer Association and FC Charles 1658 posted on social media applauding his support for their teams and expressing how heartbroken the community was.
    Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near desperate

Cite this Entry

“Desperate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desperate. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on desperate

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