as in hopeless
feeling or showing no hope
desperate cancer patients who are vulnerable to the claims of unscrupulous quacks
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of desperate
Rescue teams continue the desperate search for survivors, some even digging with their hands, as tens of thousands of people are still presumed to be missing in Venezuela five days after twin earthquakes struck.
—
Camilo Montoya-Galvez,
CBS News,
29 June 2026
They were joined by a growing number of international rescue teams, who pulled multiple survivors from the wreckage, offering desperate families a rare glimmer of hope.
—
Abigail Williams,
NBC news,
29 June 2026
Weiss’ latest, desperate gambit was giving Kim three straight starts at San Francisco over the weekend.
—
Michael Cunningham,
AJC.com,
29 June 2026
Off a long, seemingly desperate cross, Michael Gregoritsch headed the ball to Sasa Kalajdzic, who in turn headed the pass into the net to equalize.
—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for desperate
Camilo Montoya-Galvez,
CBS News,
29 June 2026
They were joined by a growing number of international rescue teams, who pulled multiple survivors from the wreckage, offering desperate families a rare glimmer of hope.
—
Abigail Williams,
NBC news,
29 June 2026
Weiss’ latest, desperate gambit was giving Kim three straight starts at San Francisco over the weekend.
—
Michael Cunningham,
AJC.com,
29 June 2026
Off a long, seemingly desperate cross, Michael Gregoritsch headed the ball to Sasa Kalajdzic, who in turn headed the pass into the net to equalize.
—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for desperate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desperate
Adjective
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The 41-year-old Portuguese footballer managed to put two past a hopeless Uzbekistan, becoming the first player to score in six consecutive World Cups.
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The conflict feels contemporary without growing too cynical, and the core relationship stakes seem real without skewing hopeless.
Adjective
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The decade was an unhappy panorama of inflation, gas shortages, military humiliation, and revelations of political corruption.
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On Tuesday, Paul urged Americans who are unhappy with the justices’ ruling to support his proposal.
Adjective
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Day broke, bathing everything in light, and so great was the vitality of the early-morning sun that even the unhappy city seemed to smile a wan, sad smile.
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But SpringHill really took off in 2020, two seasons into James’ Lakers term, when The SpringHill Company went public (and the Lakers won the sad COVID-bubble NBA Championship).
Adjective
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Some disappointed fans lingered near the barricades and boundaries police had set up and were enforcing.
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Given their expectations entering the day, Netcompany-INEOS will be deeply disappointed with Kevin Vauquelin’s puncture, their French leader having enjoyed such an impressive Tour last year.
Adjective
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His shot, low and hard and uncorked with minimal back-lift of his left foot, bounced through the gap between the despairing goalkeeper and his near post.
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After 25 years, you'd be forgiven for thinking — despairing, really — that the formula for a perfect Scary Movie has been forgotten.
Adjective
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Traditionally cynical and perceptive commentators—not to mention a lot of tired citizens—found themselves, in some accounts, overcome by an unexpected wave of patriotic sentimentality that washed away, at least for a moment, their gnawing doubts.
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Heston is at his most gleefully cynical as Robert Thorn, a police detective who lives and works in a New York City decimated by environmental deterioration and dwindling resources.
Adjective
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The latest installment out of imagination emporium Pixar finds Bonnie’s beloved toys despondent over the arrival of Lilypad.
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After Friday’s Nations Cup team event at Jumping International de La Baule, Steve Guerdat walked away from the arena despondent.
Adjective
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The courtroom was packed with heartbroken supporters wanting justice for Jor'Dynn as each woman stood silent in front of the judge.
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There is nothing more evocative of a pure Love Island experience than a heartbroken rage split in costume.
Cite this Entry
“Desperate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desperate. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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