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

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 desperate The desperate Heat kept its season alive with a 109-90 must-win play-in triumph that saw domination from the start against a Bulls side that had been 3-0 vs. Miami during the season. Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2025 Mason's desperate wait for a life-changing kidney transplant was featured in a November 2023 report by Raleigh station WRAL. Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2025 Based on a true story, Rosemead follows Irene, a Chinese immigrant mother driven to desperate measures by her unstable son’s escalating mental health crisis and growing obsession with mass shootings. Katcy Stephan, Variety, 16 Apr. 2025 Seizing the ball inside his own half, the Argentine midfielder evaded a desperate lunge before surging forward and feeding Beto for a late chance that the striker could not convert. Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for desperate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desperate
Adjective
  • Feeling hopeless in her quest to stop Crawford and help Delia get her life back, Elsbeth confronts the boastful judge, who is riding high on his rising star and his triumph over her.
    Hunter Ingram, Variety, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Chelsea Smith thought that celebrities, feeling empty and hopeless even with all their success, could benefit from the Gospel.
    Martha Ross, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Some 59% of voters are unhappy with how things are going in the country.
    Dana Blanton, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Particularly now that Americans are unhappy with the state of economy.
    Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Though the courts have not invariably ruled against Trump, the Administration’s record so far is, to use one of the President’s favorite words, sad.
    Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
  • The sad story of Alex Verdugo was one of the most puzzling dramas of the MLB offseason.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In the meantime, Stuttgart will be a bit disappointed by the point.
    Manuel Veth, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Continue reading … -- IN OTHER NEWS SPACE CADETS – Gayle King 'very disappointed' by response to Blue Origin flight.
    FOXNews.com, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • By turns giddy, anxious, and despairing, these poems have endeared him to generations of ordinary readers who find in the tempestuous and ultimately brokenhearted poet a strikingly modern and profoundly accessible figure.
    Daniel Mendelsohn, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
  • When a betrayal comes — and there are many in this tender but despairing film — the horror becomes unbearable, for Lucia and, almost, for the viewer, straight through to a horrific ending.
    Erik Piepenburg, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Lee’s cynical cardsharp of a brother, Julius (Jacob Elordi), was meant to be part of that dream move, but the call of gambling takes Julius to Las Vegas instead.
    Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Now, posters are more cynical and there’s a fatalist bent to the conversations that wasn’t there before.
    Fortesa Latifi, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Indeed, in private, many people in the business, media, and think-tank worlds are frustrated with and despondent about the atmosphere in China.
    RANA MITTER, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Become despondent over a breakup with her boyfrend?
    Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Downs recovered from her injuries but remained heartbroken over the loss of her friends and overwhelmed with survivor's guilt.
    Laurel Morales, NPR, 18 Apr. 2025
  • King was on an errand to pick up a snack for his mom when he was shot, heartbroken relatives said.
    Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 18 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Desperate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desperate. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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