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

Instead, Onslaught is an anemic venture so desperate to be as cool as its sources of inspiration — the work of John Carpenter and Quentin Tarantino, the stylings of Lt. — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026

Or, for those on his level or a step ahead of it, maybe just bemused chatter at a coastal dinner party in desperate need of a conversation steroid shot. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2026

But if the pressure on the economy makes Tehran desperate, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps leaders who ultimately call the shots could choose to escalate the situation rather than seek compromise. — James F. Jeffrey, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026

Moreover, Hollywood unions and civic leaders have been desperate to retain productions in Los Angeles after a yearslong departure to other cities and countries and as the industry writ large grapples with AI’s impact on the production process. — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026