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 Giffords, then 40, desperately wanted to become a mother and was undergoing fertility treatments at Bethesda Naval Hospital. — Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026 Maiklem observed that most nineteenth-century mudlarks, searching desperately for goods from the river, were women and children. — Sam Knight, New Yorker, 17 July 2026 But divine power is a dangerous weapon, especially in a town desperately in need of a savior. — Marta Balaga, Variety, 17 July 2026 Her unexplainable absences leads to a lack of hope, wisdom, and encouragement Odysseus desperately needs in peril. — Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 July 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
  • French thrives in Quebec, supported by some extremely assertive language legislation, but the threats of secession in the province are a persistent nuisance.
    — Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
  • And considering Spider-Man's signature suit, the crimson liner felt less like an unexpected beauty choice and more like an extremely intentional reference.
    — Marci Robin, Allure, 20 July 2026
Definition of extremely
Adverb
  • His game didn't look deplorable in the Scottish Open, just a matter of not hitting it terribly close and not making many putts and then moving on.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2026
  • For them, getting their citizenship wasn’t terribly difficult.
    — Michelle L. Quinn, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026
Definition of terribly
Adverb
  • When planning rules protect views rather than families, something has gone badly wrong.
    — Belonging Forum, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Mohammad Taj, who travelled to Delhi from neighboring Haryana state, and whose face was badly bruised in the Monday crackdown, said the march heading to parliament had been peaceful.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of badly
Adverb
  • Anya Taylor-Joy looked incredibly chic in a cream one-shoulder top and silky skirt, paired with a blue-and-white scarf.
    — Sarah Sotoodeh, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026
  • Our sense of taste and smell, in particular, can bring forth incredibly strong memories.
    — Grace Reilly, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026
Definition of incredibly
Adverb
  • That gets into the very annoying realization that some infinities are bigger than other infinities, which is mathematically true and conceptually uncomfortable.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 24 July 2026
  • Kim was very briefly a Big Ten starting quarterback — for five games at Michigan State in 2023.
    — Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Definition of very
Adverb
  • Did anyone else think Andriy and Bobby’s explanation of what happened in the workroom felt patchy too?
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 July 2026
  • The leggings were still wet, heavily soiled, and badly deteriorated, LaHendro testified, making the edge detail too unreliable for comparison.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 24 July 2026
Definition of too
Adverb
  • Some will be motivated to do so after engaging with soccer for the first time in June and July, during the World Cup hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
    — Kamran Nia July 23, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026
  • This South Florida city once known for spring break mayhem is all grown up, so book a post-cruise stay.
    — Tracey Teo, AJC.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of so
Adverb
  • Mainoo, sitting on the bench, could be forgiven for wondering if Tuchel had really watched his matches in the second half of last season.
    — Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • There are so many extras and cast members, the lighting was really complicated, and I was being followed by a spotlight all the time.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 July 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 24 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of desperately for Spanish Speakers

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