51Թ

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View synonyms for

desperate

[ des-per-it, -prit ]

adjective

  1. reckless or dangerous because of despair, hopelessness, or urgency:

    a desperate killer.

    Synonyms: ,

    Antonyms:

  2. having an urgent need, desire, etc.:

    desperate for attention;

    desperate to find a job.

  3. leaving little or no hope; very serious or dangerous:

    a desperate illness.

    Synonyms:

    Antonyms:

  4. extremely bad; intolerable or shocking:

    clothes in desperate taste.

  5. extreme or excessive.
  6. making a final, ultimate effort; giving all:

    a desperate attempt to save a life.

  7. actuated by a feeling of hopelessness.
  8. having no hope; giving in to despair.

    Synonyms: ,

    Antonyms:



noun

  1. Obsolete. a desperado.

desperate

/ ˈdɛspərɪt; -prɪt /

adjective

  1. careless of danger, as from despair; utterly reckless
  2. (of an act) reckless; risky
  3. used or undertaken in desperation or as a last resort

    desperate measures

  4. critical; very grave

    in desperate need

  5. oftenpostpositive and foll by for in distress and having a great need or desire
  6. moved by or showing despair or hopelessness; despairing
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈٱ, adverb
  • ˈٱԱ, noun
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • ··ٱ· adverb
  • ··ٱ·Ա noun
  • ܲ·-··ٱ adjective
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of desperate1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin ŧŧٳܲ, past participle of ŧŧ “to be without hope, despair”; despair, -ate 1
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of desperate1

C15: from Latin ŧŧ to have no hope; see despair
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Synonym Study

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

It came hot off the heels of the DS, the best-selling handheld in history, with fans seemingly desperate for an upgrade.

From

Janice, who is unwilling or unable to open up, is not nearly as needy as her spouse, who starts espousing biblical platitudes with the desperate certainty of a drowning man grateful for any life raft.

From

Another document, concerning preparations for a call between the prince and Mr Yang, reads "he is in a desperate situation and will grab onto anything."

From

It cannot be helping Hojlund's confidence, because it is quite obvious Amorim doesn't fancy him when he is desperate for results and he is not picking him.

From

Hezbollah members, desperate, asked us to turn off our cameras or phones, as no-one knew what else could explode.

From

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