desperate

adjective des·per·ate \ˈdes-p(ə-)rət, -pərt\

: very sad and upset because of having little or no hope : feeling or showing despair

: very bad or difficult to deal with

: done with all of your strength or energy and with little hope of succeeding

Full Definition of DESPERATE

a : having lost hope <a desperate spirit crying for relief>

b : giving no ground for hope <the outlook was desperate>

a : moved by despair <victims made desperate by abuse>

b : involving or employing extreme measures in an attempt to escape defeat or frustration <made a desperate leap for the rope>

: suffering extreme need or anxiety <desperate for money>

: involving extreme danger or possible disaster <a desperate situation>

: of extreme intensity

: shocking, outrageous

— des·per·ate·ness noun

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Origin of DESPERATE

Latin desperatus, past participle of desperare

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to DESPERATE

Synonyms: despairing, despondent, forlorn, hopeless

Antonyms: hopeful, optimistic

Synonym Discussion of DESPERATE

despondent, despairing, desperate, hopeless mean having lost all or nearly all hope. despondent implies a deep dejection arising from a conviction of the uselessness of further effort <despondent about yet another rejection>. despairing suggests the slipping away of all hope and often despondency <despairing appeals for the return of the kidnapped child>. 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>. hopeless suggests despair and the cessation of effort or resistance and often implies acceptance or resignation <the situation of the trapped miners is hopeless>.

DESPERATENESS Defined for Kids