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

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of desperate One caveat was that other teams could become more desperate for pitching as spring goes on, which could mean the Padres are tempted by a return greater than they were offered during the offseason. —

Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2025 Those brought in as low-level members— such as van or boat drivers —are often financially desperate. —

Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 16 Feb. 2025 Meanwhile more and more citizens from chaotic parts of the world, under pressure from both dysfunctional governance and the droughts and floods of climate instability, are forced into the desperate flight to anywhere and nowhere of the refugee. —

Winslow Myers, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025 An employee at the Department of Education, who also spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of retaliation, said the administration appeared desperate to get people to sign the agreement. —

Chris Megerian, TIME, 6 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for desperate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for desperate

Adjective

But as dire as all of this is, the situation is not hopeless.

— Lawrence Norden, TIME, 12 Feb. 2025
Cancer: Henry Roth from 50 First Dates As a hopeless romantic with a nurturing heart, Henry Roth embodies the personality traits of a Cancer.

— Athena Sobhan, People.com, 11 Feb. 2025