Desperate meaning

What does “desperate” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“desperate” is a noun and adjective with 7 meanings. Its most common meaning is: a person who is frightened and in need of help.

desperate

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

arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
“a despairing view of the world situation”
“the last despairing plea of the condemned criminal”
Synonymsdespairing
desperately determined
“do-or-die revolutionaries”
“a do-or-die conflict”
Synonymsdo-or-die
(of persons) dangerously reckless or violent as from urgency or despair
“a desperate criminal”
“taken hostage of desperate men”
showing extreme courage; especially of actions courageously undertaken in desperation as a last resort
“made a last desperate attempt to reach the climber”
“the desperate gallantry of our naval task forces marked the turning point in the Pacific war”
Synonymsheroic
showing extreme urgency or intensity especially because of great need or desire
“felt a desperate urge to confess”
“a desperate need for recognition”
fraught with extreme danger; nearly hopeless
“a desperate illness”
“on all fronts the Allies were in a desperate situation due to lack of materiel”
Synonymsdire

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University