as in hopeless
feeling or showing no hope
desperate cancer patients who are vulnerable to the claims of unscrupulous quacks
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of desperate
These fraudulent sites often mimic legitimate stores or rank high in search results, tricking desperate consumers into buying non-existent AC units.
—
Steve Weisman,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2026
An unstoppable force of negativity, something that lasted until Anthropic launched Project Glasswing , which showed the desperate nature of a level of cybersecurity only CrowdStrike and Palo Alto Networks had.
—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
5 July 2026
Prolonged confinement made detainees more anxious and desperate, at times leading to hunger strikes and fights.
—
Perla Trevizo,
ProPublica,
3 July 2026
Human Vapor pushes with more grisly conviction The Human Vapor’s criticism of authority figures playing fast and loose with desperate people’s lives.
—
Rory Doherty,
Time,
3 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for desperate
Steve Weisman,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2026
An unstoppable force of negativity, something that lasted until Anthropic launched Project Glasswing , which showed the desperate nature of a level of cybersecurity only CrowdStrike and Palo Alto Networks had.
—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
5 July 2026
Prolonged confinement made detainees more anxious and desperate, at times leading to hunger strikes and fights.
—
Perla Trevizo,
ProPublica,
3 July 2026
Human Vapor pushes with more grisly conviction The Human Vapor’s criticism of authority figures playing fast and loose with desperate people’s lives.
—
Rory Doherty,
Time,
3 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for desperate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desperate
Adjective
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The 41-year-old Portuguese footballer managed to put two past a hopeless Uzbekistan, becoming the first player to score in six consecutive World Cups.
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The conflict feels contemporary without growing too cynical, and the core relationship stakes seem real without skewing hopeless.
Adjective
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The decade was an unhappy panorama of inflation, gas shortages, military humiliation, and revelations of political corruption.
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On Tuesday, Paul urged Americans who are unhappy with the justices’ ruling to support his proposal.
Adjective
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Day broke, bathing everything in light, and so great was the vitality of the early-morning sun that even the unhappy city seemed to smile a wan, sad smile.
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But SpringHill really took off in 2020, two seasons into James’ Lakers term, when The SpringHill Company went public (and the Lakers won the sad COVID-bubble NBA Championship).
Adjective
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Some disappointed fans lingered near the barricades and boundaries police had set up and were enforcing.
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Given their expectations entering the day, Netcompany-INEOS will be deeply disappointed with Kevin Vauquelin’s puncture, their French leader having enjoyed such an impressive Tour last year.
Adjective
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His shot, low and hard and uncorked with minimal back-lift of his left foot, bounced through the gap between the despairing goalkeeper and his near post.
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After 25 years, you'd be forgiven for thinking — despairing, really — that the formula for a perfect Scary Movie has been forgotten.
Adjective
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His willingness to move to Rio de Janeiro upon taking the job endeared him to the cynical public, as did his decision to call up Neymar to his squad to quieten the noise the forward’s potential exclusion would have brought with it.
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Against the run of play, the Atlas Lions won a free kick near the corner of the box after Luc De Fougerolles was booked for a cynical challenge.
Adjective
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The latest installment out of imagination emporium Pixar finds Bonnie’s beloved toys despondent over the arrival of Lilypad.
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After Friday’s Nations Cup team event at Jumping International de La Baule, Steve Guerdat walked away from the arena despondent.
Adjective
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Was, still heartbroken about the loss of his friend and bandmate, recalled their first time on tour.
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Prince Harry was heartbroken after arriving at Eton College in 1998.
Cite this Entry
“Desperate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desperate. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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