as in extremely
to a great degree
all of a sudden everything went desperately wrong
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Dier was about to get his head on a cross into the box when Nico Gonzalez desperately stretched out a leg.
—
Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
What’s desperately needed, Sisti said, are comprehensive investments in mental health — Housing First programs, funding to build up a mental health care workforce, and an easily accessible and coordinated system of voluntary treatment that prevents people from deteriorating on the streets.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
Still, Punch's moving message about the true power of connection and understanding in the wake of unthinkable tragedy is one that is desperately needed these days.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2025
Thank you for using your platform to say what desperately needed to be said.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for desperately
Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
What’s desperately needed, Sisti said, are comprehensive investments in mental health — Housing First programs, funding to build up a mental health care workforce, and an easily accessible and coordinated system of voluntary treatment that prevents people from deteriorating on the streets.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
Still, Punch's moving message about the true power of connection and understanding in the wake of unthinkable tragedy is one that is desperately needed these days.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2025
Thank you for using your platform to say what desperately needed to be said.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for desperately
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desperately
Adverb
-
Some genres may be extremely violent and gory, so parents may want to consider supervising their children's viewing of films or avoid them altogether.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Grain bins and silos can be extremely deadly if people get trapped inside.—
Kelli Arseneau,
jsonline.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
While this does not sound terribly steep, this was in Earth's gravity — in the lower gravity of Mars, this would be equivalent to a 30 degree slope.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Continue reading … SINKING FEELING – Woman's attempt to protest ICE arrest in Massachusetts goes terribly wrong.—
,
FOXNews.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Hamlin wanted that race win badly, but securing the runner-up position meant he is placed fourth in the standings.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Spurs did not just play badly against Glimt; they were battered.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
At the time, the fields of primatology, ethology, anthropology, and all of science were incredibly male-dominated.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
2 Oct. 2025
-
And there was Mahab Ghodss, an incredibly powerful and opaque consulting firm run by regime insiders, which drafted the studies for dam projects and lobbied for approval.—
Nik Kowsar,
Time,
2 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
The lemonade stand and bake sale became very profitable and would turn into a giant play date in their front yard every June.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Sep. 2025
-
With a very capable Ryzen 7 processor that can handle productivity tasks with ease, paired with a capacious 32GB of DDR5 RAM, this pocket-sized PC can slot in to just about any situation.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
29 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
He was carried off the field that day, too.—
Scott Dochterman,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
-
The new premier, a veteran lawmaker seen as Abe’s protégé, is well positioned to regain the support of rightwing voters who feel the LDP had become too moderate, especially on immigration.—
Jeff Kingston,
Time,
4 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Every character is fully developed and has a why, and every backstory is so rich.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
6 Oct. 2025
-
While Nashville has grown by leaps and bounds, so have its smaller surrounding cities, as people flock to the suburbs, eager to enjoy small-town charm while staying close to the conveniences of a major metro.—
Diana Leyva,
Nashville Tennessean,
6 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
This Melissa & Doug Chef Dress-Up Set includes everything your budding culinary star needs to really dress the part, including a machine-washable chef's coat with name tag, toque, and oven mitt, along with wooden spoons and measuring spoons.—
Katrina Cossey,
Parents,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Then something really beautiful happens.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Desperately.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desperately. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share