HyperDic: desperate

English > 7 senses of the word desperate:
ADJECTIVEalldesperate, despairingarising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
alldesperate, do-or-diedesperately determined
alldesperate(of persons) dangerously reckless or violent as from urgency or despair
alldesperate, heroicshowing extreme / extreme courage
alldesperateshowing extreme / extreme urgency or intensity especially because of great need or desire
alldesperate, direfraught with extreme / extreme danger
NOUNperson desperatea person who is frightened and in need of help
desperate > pronunciation
Soundsdeh'speriht; deh'spriht
Rhymesacquit ... writ: 187 rhymes with iht...
English > desperate: 7 senses > adjective 1
MeaningArising from or marked by despair or loss of hope.
Examples
  • "a desperate cry for help"
  • "helpless and desperate--as if at the end of his tether"
  • "her desperate screams"
Synonymdespairing
BroaderhopelessWithout hope because there seems to be no possibility of comfort or success
Spanishdesesperado
Adverbsdesperatelyin intense despair
English > desperate: 7 senses > adjective 2
Meaningdesperately determined.
Synonymdo-or-die
BroaderresoluteFirm in purpose or belief
Spanishdesesperado
English > desperate: 7 senses > adjective 3
Meaning(of persons) dangerously reckless or violent as from urgency or despair.
Examples
  • "a desperate criminal"
  • "taken hostage of desperate men"
Broaderdangerous, unsafeInvolving or causing danger or risk
Spanishdesesperado
English > desperate: 7 senses > adjective 4
Meaningshowing extreme / extreme courage; especially of actions courageously undertaken in desperation as a last resort.
Examples
  • "made a last desperate attempt to reach the climber"
  • "the desperate gallantry of our naval task forces marked the turning point in the Pacific war"- G.C.Marshall
Synonymheroic
Broaderbrave, courageouspossessing or displaying courage
Spanishdesesperado, heroico
Catalanheroic
English > desperate: 7 senses > adjective 5
Meaningshowing extreme / extreme urgency or intensity especially because of great need or desire.
Examples
  • "felt a desperate urge to confess"
  • "a desperate need for recognition"
Broaderimperativerequiring attention or action
Spanishdesesperado, urgente
Catalanurgent
Adverbsdesperatelywith great urgency
English > desperate: 7 senses > adjective 6
Meaningfraught with extreme / extreme danger; nearly hopeless.
Examples
  • "a desperate illness"
  • "on all fronts the Allies were in a desperate situation due to lack of materiel"- G.C.Marshall
Synonymdire
BroadercriticalIn or verging on a state of crisis or emergency
Spanishdesesperado, grave
Catalandesesperat
English > desperate: 7 senses > noun 1, person
MeaningA person who is frightened and in need of help.
Example"they prey on the hopes of the desperate"
Narrowergoner, toastA person in desperate straits
Broaderunfortunate, unfortunate personA person who suffers misfortune
Verbsdespairabandon hope

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