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desperate

adjective · noun US /ˈdesprɪt/

arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope

How often you will meet it

Rank 2,004 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 8,953 times across 155,139 chapters — 0.004% of every word in the library.

What it means

adjective

  1. arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope also: despairing a despairing view of the world situationthe last despairing plea of the condemned criminal
  2. desperately determined also: do-or-die do-or-die revolutionariesa do-or-die conflict
  3. (of persons) dangerously reckless or violent as from urgency or despair a desperate criminaltaken hostage of desperate men
  4. showing extreme courage; especially of actions courageously undertaken in desperation as a last resort also: heroic made a last desperate attempt to reach the climberthe desperate gallantry of our naval task forces marked the turning point in the Pacific war
  5. showing extreme urgency or intensity especially because of great need or desire felt a desperate urge to confessa desperate need for recognition
  6. fraught with extreme danger; nearly hopeless also: dire a desperate illnesson all fronts the Allies were in a desperate situation due to lack of materiel

noun

  1. a person who is frightened and in need of help they prey on the hopes of the desperate

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

desperate in real books

Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.

  • We intend to combine and do something desperate.

    Punch — Volume 99, August 16, 1890 · Various · Chapter 1

  • It was no wonder he had made me utterly desperate and piqued me into accepting the captain.

    The Motormaniacs · Lloyd Osbourne · Chapter 1

  • It was now necessary for them to consult what was most proper to do in their desperate circumstances.

    The pirates own book · Charles Ellms · Chapter 1

  • Gluck fitted the slice into the mutton again, with desperate efforts at exactitude, and ran to open the door.

    Famous Stories Every Child Should Know · Hamilton Wright [Editor] Mabie · Chapter 1

  • He resented Paredes's words and attitude which he defined as studied to draw humour out of a tragic and desperate situation.

    The Abandoned Room · Wadsworth Camp · Chapter 1

Nearby in the frequency table

2,000 sail2,001 guide2,002 alarm2,003 warning 2,004 desperate 2,005 coast2,006 cottage2,007 consideration2,008 delightful

The whole table Read a book