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desperate

[ˈdɛsp(ə)rət]

desperate Definition

  • 1feeling or showing a hopeless sense that a situation is so bad as to be impossible to deal with
  • 2having a great need or desire for something

Using desperate: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "desperate" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    The refugees were in desperate need of food and shelter.

  • Example

    He made a desperate attempt to save the drowning child.

  • Example

    She was desperate to find a job before her savings ran out.

  • Example

    The team made a desperate effort to win the game in the final minutes.

  • Example

    I'm getting desperate about finding a solution to this problem.

desperate Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for desperate

Antonyms for desperate

Phrases with desperate

  • when you are extremely desperate, you need to take extreme actions

    Example

    I know it's not ideal, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

  • a situation that is very difficult or dangerous

    Example

    The company is in a desperate situation and needs to make some changes quickly.

  • behaving in a way that shows you want people to pay attention to you

    Example

    She's always posting pictures on social media because she's desperate for attention.

Origins of desperate

from Latin 'desperatus', meaning 'given up, abandoned'

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Summary: desperate in Brief

The term 'desperate' [ˈdɛsp(ə)rət] refers to feeling or showing a hopeless sense that a situation is impossible to deal with or having a great need or desire for something. It can describe situations like 'The refugees were in desperate need of food and shelter,' or actions like 'He made a desperate attempt to save the drowning child.' The phrase 'desperate times call for desperate measures' suggests taking extreme actions in extremely desperate situations.

How do native speakers use this expression?