Transcription
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
-
- [des-per-it, -prit]
- /ˈdɛs pər ɪt, -prɪt/
- /ˈdespərət/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [des-per-it, -prit]
- /ˈdɛs pər ɪt, -prɪt/
Definitions of desperate word
- adjective desperate If you are desperate, you are in such a bad situation that you are willing to try anything to change it. 3
- adjective desperate If you are desperate for something or desperate to do something, you want or need it very much indeed. 3
- adjective desperate A desperate situation is very difficult, serious, or dangerous. 3
- adjective desperate careless of danger, as from despair; utterly reckless 3
- adjective desperate (of an act) reckless; risky 3
- adjective desperate used or undertaken in desperation or as a last resort 3
Information block about the term
Origin of desperate
First appearance:
before 1350 One of the 20% oldest English words
1350-1400; Middle English < Latin dēspērātus, past participle of dēspērāre to despair; see -ate1
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Desperate
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
desperate popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 92% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
desperate usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for desperate
adj desperate
- daring — People who are daring are willing to do or say things which are new or which might shock or anger other people.
- dangerous — If something is dangerous, it is able or likely to hurt or harm you.
- bold — Bold lines or designs are drawn in a clear, strong way.
- violent — acting with or characterized by uncontrolled, strong, rough force: a violent earthquake.
- determined — If you are determined to do something, you have made a firm decision to do it and will not let anything stop you.
adjective desperate
- anxious — If you are anxious to do something or anxious that something should happen, you very much want to do it or very much want it to happen.
- worried — having or characterized by worry; concerned; anxious: Their worried parents called the police.
- distressed — afflicted with or suffering distress: distress livestock; distress wheat.
- distracted — Obsolete. distracted.
- fraught — Archaic. filled or laden (with): ships fraught with precious wares.
noun desperate
- down and out — downward; going or directed downward: the down escalator.
- floater — a person or thing that floats.
- hitchhiker — to travel by standing on the side of the road and soliciting rides from passing vehicles.
- tramp — to tread or walk with a firm, heavy, resounding step.
Antonyms for desperate
adj desperate
- cowardly — If you describe someone as cowardly, you disapprove of them because they are easily frightened and avoid doing dangerous and difficult things.
- meek — humbly patient or docile, as under provocation from others.
- timid — lacking in self-assurance, courage, or bravery; easily alarmed; timorous; shy.
- peaceful — characterized by peace; free from war, strife, commotion, violence, or disorder: a peaceful reign; a peaceful demonstration.
- confident — If you are confident about something, you are certain that it will happen in the way you want it to.
adjective desperate
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See also
Matching words
- Words starting with d
- Words starting with de
- Words starting with des
- Words starting with desp
- Words starting with despe
- Words starting with desper
- Words starting with despera
- Words starting with desperat
- Words starting with desperate