DESPERATE Synonyms: 101 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

desperate

adjective

ˈde-sp(ə-)rət

Definition of desperate next

as in hopeless

feeling or showing no hope desperate cancer patients who are vulnerable to the claims of unscrupulous quacks

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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

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of desperate Despite his mother’s desperate efforts to save him, was killed in the wildfires ravaging Southern California. —

Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 11 Jan. 2025 Read about Orly Israel’s desperate attempt to save his family’s house. —

Mj Davis Lin, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025 Thousands of firefighters are facing a desperate battle against the flames from multiple wildfires, including in Santa Monica and the Pacific Palisades areas. —

Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2025 With industries like elder care and agriculture desperate for workers, the government this year moved to relax visa regulations to allow more foreign laborers to stay longer, switch jobs, and bring over their families. —

Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 1 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for desperate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for desperate

Adjective

The battle between parents and tech-savvy children over access to the Internet and apps might seem hopeless.

Daniel de Visé, USA TODAY, 26 Dec. 2024
Burns is asked how to avoid feeling hopeless during a stretch like this.

Dan Duggan, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024