Desperate — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈde-sp(ə-)rət/ des·per·ate

Meaning & Definition of Desperate

Desperate (adjective)

  1. having lost hope
  2. giving no ground for hope
  3. moved by despair or utter loss of hope

Desperate (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. feeling or showing no hope

    "desperate cancer patients who are vulnerable to the claims of unscrupulous quacks"

    similar: despairing, despondent, forlorn, hopeless
    related: blue, brokenhearted, crestfallen, dejected, depressed, disconsolate, doleful, down, downcast, downhearted, gloomy, glum, hangdog, heartbroken, heartsick, heartsore, inconsolable, joyless, low, low-spirited, melancholy, miserable, mournful, sad, saddened, sorrowful, sorry, unhappy, woebegone, woeful, wretched, abject, disappointed, discouraged, disheartened, dispirited, grieving, wailing, weeping, bleak, cheerless, comfortless, dark, depressing, desolate, dismal, drear, dreary, funereal, cynical, pessimistic, accepting, resigned
    opposite: hopeful, optimistic
    near: ecstatic, elated, enraptured, entranced, euphoric, exhilarated, exuberant, exultant, blithe, blithesome, gay, jocund, jolly, jovial, lightsome, merry, mirthful, encouraged, heartened, animated, jaunty, lively, perky, sprightful, sprightly, vivacious, blissful, buoyant, cheerful, cheery, chipper, delighted, glad, gladdened, gladsome, gleeful, happy, joyful, joyous, jubilant, sunny, upbeat

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Desperate

The most common words with a similar meaning to Desperate:

despairing, despondent, forlorn, hopeless

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Desperate

Words with the opposite meaning of Desperate:

hopeful, optimistic

Related Words for Desperate

blue, brokenhearted, crestfallen, dejected, depressed, disconsolate, doleful, down, downcast, downhearted, gloomy, glum, hangdog, heartbroken, heartsick, heartsore, inconsolable, joyless, low, low-spirited, melancholy, miserable, mournful, sad, saddened, sorrowful, sorry, unhappy, woebegone, woeful

Near Antonyms of Desperate

ecstatic, elated, enraptured, entranced, euphoric, exhilarated, exuberant, exultant, blithe, blithesome, gay, jocund, jolly, jovial, lightsome, merry, mirthful, encouraged, heartened, animated, jaunty, lively, perky, sprightful, sprightly, vivacious, blissful, buoyant, cheerful, cheery

Word Forms of Desperate

Derived words: desperateness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Desperate

Middle English desperat, borrowed from Latin dēspērātus, past participle of dēspērāre "to give up as hopeless, despair of" despair:2

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Desperate

Frequently Asked Questions about Desperate

What does "Desperate" mean?

"Desperate" means having lost hope. As an adjective, it is defined as: having lost hope.

What is another word for "Desperate"?

Other words for "Desperate" include despairing, despondent, forlorn and hopeless. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Desperate" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Desperate"?

There are 57 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Desperate". Common alternatives include despairing, despondent, forlorn and hopeless.

What is the opposite of "Desperate"?

Antonyms of "Desperate" include hopeful and optimistic. Near antonyms include ecstatic, elated, enraptured and entranced.

How do you use "Desperate" in a sentence?

Examples of "Desperate" in a sentence: "desperate cancer patients who are vulnerable to the claims of unscrupulous quacks".

Is "Desperate" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Desperate" is an adjective.

Is "Desperate" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Desperate" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Desperate"?

"Desperate" is pronounced /ˈde-sp(ə-)rət/ and divided into syllables as des·per·ate.