desperate
adjective
des·per·ate
ˈde-sp(ə-)rət 
-spərt
1
a
: having lost hope
a desperate spirit crying for relief
b
: giving no ground for hope
the outlook was desperate
2
a
: moved by despair or utter loss of hope
victims made desperate by abuse
b
: involving or employing extreme measures in an attempt to escape defeat or frustration
made a desperate leap for the rope
3
: suffering extreme need or anxiety
desperate for money
desperate to escape
celebrities desperate for attention
4
: involving extreme danger or possible disaster
a desperate situation
5
: of extreme intensity
… a desperate languor descended heavily upon her, and she slept …—
Elinor Wylie
Elinor Wylie6
desperateness
noun
Examples of desperate in a Sentence
The collapse of her business had made her desperate.
As the supply of food ran out, people became desperate.
We could hear their desperate cries for help.
a desperate struggle to defeat the enemy
He made a desperate bid to save his job.
They made one last desperate attempt to fight their way out.
Recent Examples on the Web
Parallel to this moment, Freddy Sodawallah (Manish Chaudhari), the seasoned and shrewd Bollywood producer who has been managing Aasmaan’s early career, and Jaraj Saxena (Rajat Bedi), a fading actor desperate for a comeback, investigate the truth on their own.
—Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 18 Sep. 2025
The government – desperate for good economic news before the November Budget – claims that investment will create some 7,600 jobs.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
The choice Task makes to soften Ruffalo’s natural affability and presence in favor of Pelphrey’s Robbie—who transmits anger and despair with palpable, desperate energy—is a fascinating one, requiring humility from one actor and intense commitment from the other.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2025
The desperate search for Alyssa began.
—Sarah Dahlberg, NBC news, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for desperate
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Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 18 Sep. 2025
The government – desperate for good economic news before the November Budget – claims that investment will create some 7,600 jobs.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
The choice Task makes to soften Ruffalo’s natural affability and presence in favor of Pelphrey’s Robbie—who transmits anger and despair with palpable, desperate energy—is a fascinating one, requiring humility from one actor and intense commitment from the other.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2025
The desperate search for Alyssa began.
—Sarah Dahlberg, NBC news, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for desperate
Cite this Entry
“Desperate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/desperate. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
desperate
adjective
des·per·ate
ˈdes-p(ə-)rət
1
: being beyond or almost beyond hope
a desperate illness
2
: reckless because of despair : rash
a desperate attempt
desperately
adverb
desperateness
noun
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