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1. Dictionary

   Des·per·ate

   /ˈdesp(ə)rət/

   

   adjective

   • 1. feeling, showing, or involving a hopeless sense that a situation is so bad as to be impossible to deal with: "a desperate sadness enveloped Ruth" Similar despairinghopelessanguisheddistressedin despairsuicidalmiserablewretcheddesolateforlorndishearteneddiscourageddemoralizeddevastateddowncastresigneddefeatistpessimisticdistraughtfraughtovercomeout of one's mindat one's wits' endbeside oneselfat the end of one's tetherliterary:dolorousOpposite cheerfulcomposed
   • ▪ (of an act or attempt) tried in despair or when everything else has failed; having little hope of success: "drugs used in a desperate attempt to save his life" Similar last-ditchlast-chancelast-resortlast-minutelast-gaspeleventh-hourall-outdo-or-diefinalfranticfrenziedwildstrainingfutilehopelessdoomedlost
   • ▪ (of a situation) extremely bad, serious, or dangerous: "there is a desperate shortage of teachers" Similar graveseriousdangerousriskyperiloushazardousprecariouscriticalacutedirevery badcalamitousappallingawfulterriblefrightfuldreadfuloutrageousintolerabledeplorablelamentablesorrypoorhopelessirretrievableinformal:lousychronicarchaic, humorous:parlousurgentpressingcompellingcryingacutecriticalcrucialvitaldrasticseriousgravedireextremegreatformal:exigent
   • ▪ (of a person) having a great need or desire for something: "I am desperate for a cigarette" Similar in great need ofurgently requiringcravingin want oflackingwantingeagerachinglongingyearninghungrythirstythirstingitchingcrying outdesirousinformal:dying
   • ▪ (of a person or fight) violent or dangerous: "a desperate criminal" Similar violentdangerouslawlessrecklessrashhastyimpetuousfoolhardyincautiousdeath-or-glorydo-or-diehazardousrisky

   Word Origin late Middle English (in the sense ‘in despair’): from Latin desperatus ‘deprived of hope’, past participle of desperare (see despair).

   Derivatives

   • 1. desperateness noun

   Scrabble Points: 12

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2. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › desperateDesperate Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › desperate

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   Learn the meaning, synonyms, examples, and history of the word desperate, which means having lost hope or acting recklessly. Find out how to use desperate in a sentence and how it differs from related words like despondent and despairing.

3. www.dictionary.com › browse › desperateDESPERATE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

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   Learn the meaning and usage of the word desperate, which can be an adjective or a noun. Find out the synonyms, antonyms, and example sentences of desperate in different contexts.

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5. dictionary.cambridge.org › english › desperateDESPERATE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › english › desperate

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   Learn the meaning of desperate as an adjective in English, with synonyms, antonyms, and usage examples. Find out how to use desperate to describe serious, extreme, or risky situations, or to express a great need or desire.

6. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › desperatedesperate adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and ...

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   Learn the meaning, pronunciation and examples of the adjective desperate, which can describe a feeling, an action, a situation or a need. Find out the synonyms, collocations and word origin of desperate.

7. dictionary.cambridge.org › desperateDESPERATE | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

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   Learn the meaning of desperate as an adjective to describe a situation, a feeling or a need. See how to use desperate in sentences and compare it with related words.

8. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › desperateDesperate - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › desperate

   showing extreme urgency or intensity especially because of great need or desire. “felt a desperate urge to confess”. “a desperate need for recognition”. synonyms: imperative. requiring attention or action. adjective. arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope. “a desperate cry for help”.

9. www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › desperatedesperate | meaning of desperate in Longman Dictionary of ...

   www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › desperate

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   Learn the meaning of desperate as an adjective to describe someone or something in a very bad situation, and not caring about danger. See examples of how to use desperate in sentences and collocations.