desperately

UK: /ˈdɛspərətli/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

des•per•ate /ˈdɛspərɪt/   adj. 

1. wild, reckless, or dangerous because of despair:
   a desperate killer.
2. having an urgent need, desire, etc.: [ be + ~ + for]:
   desperate for attention.
   [ be + ~ + to + verb]:
   desperate to succeed.
3. leaving little or no hope;
   very serious or dangerous:
   a desperate illness.
4. making a final effort;
   giving all:
   a desperate attempt to save a life.
5. extreme or excessive:
   desperate need.

des•per•ate•ly, adv. See -sper-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

des•per•ate  (des′pər it, -prit), adj. 

1. reckless or dangerous because of despair or urgency:
   a desperate killer.
2. having an urgent need, desire, etc.:
   desperate for attention.
3. leaving little or no hope;
   very serious or dangerous:
   a desperate illness.
4. extremely bad;
   intolerable or shocking:
   clothes in desperate taste.
5. extreme or excessive.
6. making a final, ultimate effort;
   giving all:
   a desperate attempt to save a life.
7. actuated by a feeling of hopelessness.
8. having no hope;
   giving in to despair.

n. 

9. [Obs.] a desperado.

• Latin dēspērātus, past participle of dēspērāre to despair; see -ate¹
• Middle English 1350–1400

des′per•ate•ly, adv. 
des′per•ate•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. rash, frantic.
• 3. grave. See hopeless. 
• 8. forlorn, desolate.

Antonyms

• 1. careful.
• 3, 8. hopeful.