desperately

adverb

ˈde-sp(ə-)rət-lē How to pronounce desperately (audio)
Definition of desperatelynext
as in extremely
to a great degree all of a sudden everything went desperately wrong

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 desperately It was quickly found to heavily cite an infamous neo-Nazi forum as a source of information, desperately tried to paint Tesla’s Cybertruck as a successful and desirable electric pickup truck, and validated Musk’s favorite conspiracy theories. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 6 Aug. 2026 For me, this is the moment Yuko goes from little girl to a little girl trying desperately to be an adult. — Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2026 Against the backdrop of a care crisis and high burnout, Care AI provides a lifeline that families desperately need. — Marianne Cooper, Time, 5 Aug. 2026 The historical-fiction play depicts her as an alcoholic and former cabaret star who desperately wants to return to the stage. — Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for desperately
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desperately
  1. extremely
  2. terribly
  3. badly
  4. incredibly
  5. very
  6. too
  7. so
  8. really
Adverb
  • In extremely rare cases, hormone injections can trigger a condition called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Neighbors are also extremely relieved to see the tree finally coming down.
    — Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of extremely
Adverb
  • Having a conversation with Gold House founder Bing Chen isn’t terribly dissimilar from taking an amphetamine.
    — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Along with its terribly cool clientele, Area became known for its décor and lavish installations, whose theme changed every six weeks.
    — Marlow Stern, Variety, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of terribly
Adverb
  • In short, a project purchase done badly will leave you as one more creditor in the line, owning a shedload of unrealized ambition.
    — Benjamin Maltby, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Addam’s heroics at Tumbleton aside, things are going quite badly for Rhaenyra.
    — James Grebey, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of badly
Adverb
  • If Rolex can engineer an incredibly deep and wide moat, AI most certainly can.
    — Clem Chambers, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The Warriors stole the first game of the series in Dallas and then held serve in their own euphoric and incredibly loud building in Oakland.
    — Carl Steward, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of incredibly
Adverb
  • Anna’s sheer lace dress with a huge keyhole in the front and an open back is fine but also like a million other dresses; the same goes for Jude’s nicely constructed, but very familiar, black velvet dress with a corset.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Quarterback Tommy DeVito looked to him on a go route on the very next play, but Williams didn’t cut back inside for the ball, which appeared to frustrate Vrabel on the sideline.
    — Chad Graff, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of very
Adverb
  • The state senator from Greenwich says Lamont has been too loose with state budget policies and should have generated even more savings to ease Connecticut’s debt burdens.
    — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026
  • That’s not too dissimilar from the path Mattingly took to the field Thursday.
    — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of too
Adverb
  • In doing so, the plaintiffs argued, the OCC is acting beyond the powers given to the agency.
    — P.R. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The man, wearing blue jeans, a black T-shirt and a pink hat, initially dropped the hammer when told to do so by the officers.
    — Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of so
Adverb
  • People think of intimacy in a romantic sense, but the relationships artists have with the people in their corner in the industry is also really intimate.
    — Cathy Applefeld Olson, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • These types of conversations help teens feel understood and strengthen trust, while uncovering more about what is really driving the desire to change up their look.
    — Liz Regalia, Parents, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of really

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Cite this Entry

“Desperately.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desperately. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of desperately for Spanish Speakers

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