Synonym Chooser

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of desperate Rick got upset that Hollinger insulted his mother and sought out Amrita (Shalini Peiris), the spiritual counselor, for guidance on how to handle his desperate state. Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2025 This is a desperate attempt to do an end run around the French people. The Editors, National Review, 4 Apr. 2025 In 2018, Aaron Davis, head of coffee research at the Royal Botanic Gardens was desperate to track down the rare species, which hadn’t been seen in the wild since 1954. Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 4 Apr. 2025 Sammy Smith crashed into the back of Taylor Gray in the last lap of the Xfinity race in a desperate attempt to pass him. Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for desperate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desperate
Adjective
  • Democracy in the United States faces a serious threat, but the case is not hopeless.
    Laura Gamboa, Foreign Affairs, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Despite running on dirt-minded tires that are hopeless on snow and ice, these ultra-luxe restomods had no problem roaring through the powder covering the ground.
    Tim Stevens, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Despite his close relationship with Trump, Elon Musk is unhappy about tariffs, which stand to hurt the business empire of the world’s richest man.
    Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • There have even been reports of police being called to deal with the rowdy behavior, not to mention some theater employees who are unhappy about the cleanup required.
    Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Kwong grew up hearing stories of every kind about Manzanar—scary, sad, funny and infuriating.
    Rachel Ng, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Yet, whatever the deal means for Paul, Weiss, its acquiescence to Trump marks a sad day for the legal profession—or what once was a profession, and is now just another business.
    Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Many of them might have left somewhat disappointed.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 27 Mar. 2025
  • And her future in-laws are more than a little disappointed.
    Clare Fisher, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • But Atletico regained a foothold and deservedly equalised around the half-hour mark, when Alvarez produced his own curling effort past the despairing dive of Madrid’s ex-Atleti No 1 Thibaut Courtois.
    Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Reduced to occasionally doing commercials for used cars, and spending most of his days drinking, despairing, and sporadically playing Russian roulette in a retirement home for actors, the curmudgeonly Montana has a death wish that only sheer luck has kept him from fulfilling.
    Joe Leydon, Variety, 5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Val did something special with a typical 1980s cynical rebel/wisecracker role, giving his character a layer of big brother warmth.
    KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
  • On the movie front, Viola Davis is an endangered POTUS in G20, Tom Hardy plays a cynical detective in Havoc, and documentary subjects include the Stranger Things stage production, the Milwaukee Brewers’ 1982 season and the Disney cult classic A Goofy Movie.
    Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • But where this Star truly shined (that was too easy) was in giving a despondent Cedrek a pep talk after his disastrous challenge performance.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Her despondent facial reaction even became a meme online.
    Lexy Perez, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Since the release of his revered 2007 debut For Emma, Forever Ago – a cult-classic isolation record composed by a heartbroken Vernon in a cabin in the Wisconsin woods – the musician has transformed himself time and time again.
    Leah Lu, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2025
  • His heartbroken wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, and their son, both U.S. citizens, have sued the government demanding his return.
    Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Desperate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desperate. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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