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 Across party lines, the American people are overwhelmingly fed up with rising drug costs and desperate for meaningful action out of Washington. Rep. Greg Murphy, M.d., MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025 The Chiefs will have to be ready for everything a desperate 0-2 Giants team will throw at them on Sunday night. Mike Straw, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025 Told through the eyes of a group of Spartans sent into the meat grinder to deal with an unstoppable alien invasion, The Fall of Reach is a much more desperate, hopeless affair. Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 15 Sep. 2025 William Jackson Harper was also previously revealed to guest star in a Season 3 episode as the founding director of a New York City poetry journal, desperate for funding. Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for desperate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desperate
Adjective
  • Yerevan now found itself in a hopeless situation, bereft of any real allies, its military in tatters, and an increasingly bitter Armenian public.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 21 Sep. 2025
  • Showing such unwavering and hopeless devotion?
    Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Kybella can be used as an alternative to surgery for patients who are unhappy with fat under their chin, also known as submental fullness, and have not seen improvement with diet and exercise, according to the manufacturers.
    Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Folks felt exposed or excluded or some unhappy combination of both.
    Andrew Pasquier, Them., 18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • As Malcolm and Henry prepare to return home, they are met with the sad news that Isaac Grant (Brian McCardie) has died, throwing Malcolm into a new leadership position.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Happy for her but selfishly sad.
    Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Astounded, confused disappointed?
    Steve Sedgwick, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
  • These are just a couple of people (both actors are wonderfully natural) a bit disappointed by life, who find each other at the right time.
    Jake Coyle, Boston Herald, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Exhausted and despairing, many Palestinians had their own reasons for refusing to pack up and uproot themselves again.
    WAFAA SHURAFA, Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2025
  • People are despairing over the Supreme Court and its deference to the president.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2025
Adjective
  • Huang, also a professional military strategist and university professor, told the Washington Examiner that his party sees the DPP’s posturing as a cynical move to build domestic support without considering the long-term consequences.
    Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 16 Sep. 2025
  • That has often been misinterpreted as a cynical endorsement of warfare.
    Andreas Kluth, Twin Cities, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Burials have taken place at a July 11 commemoration service—a despondent attempt at closure for grieving families.
    Seema Jilani August 29, Literary Hub, 29 Aug. 2025
  • After the race, Hamilton sounded despondent and hinted at turmoil at his new team.
    Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Her family is heartbroken and devastated by this tragic loss.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
  • And utterly heartbroken for Charlie’s young family.
    Amanda Castro Gabe Whisnant Anna Commander Toby Meyjes Shane Croucher John Feng Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Desperate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desperate. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.

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