desperado

noun

des·​per·​a·​do ˌde-spə-ˈrä-(ˌ)dō How to pronounce desperado (audio)
-ˈrā-
plural desperadoes or desperados
Synonyms of desperadonext
: a bold or violent criminal
especially : a bandit of the western U.S. in the 19th century

Examples of desperado in a Sentence

the notorious desperados of the Wild West
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Most are not desperados on the run. — William Morris, Des Moines Register, 4 Mar. 2026 These are desperadoes in the White House. — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 26 Nov. 2025 Today, Moscow is glamorous but sealed off and duller than the 1990s desperado days. — Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026 Still, the robbery sent an Oklahoma sheriff’s posse and bloodhounds after these bungling desperados. — Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for desperado

Word History

Etymology

probably a pseudo-Spanish alteration of desperate "person in despair, person compelled by circumstances to commit violent acts," noun derivative of desperate

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of desperado was in 1647

Rhymes for desperado

See All Rhymes for desperado

Browse Nearby Words

desperacy
desperado
desperadoism
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Desperado.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/desperado. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

desperado

noun
des·​per·​a·​do ˌdes-pə-ˈräd-ō How to pronounce desperado (audio)
-ˈrād-
plural desperadoes or desperados
: a bold or reckless criminal

More from Merriam-Webster on desperado

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for desperado

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