des·per·ate
Pronounced:
/ˈdɛsprət/
Function:
adjectiveMeaning:
[more des*per*ate; most des*per*ate] 1 : very sad and upset because of having little or no hope : feeling or showing despair ▪ The collapse of her business had made her desperate. ▪ As the supply of food ran out, people became desperate. ▪ We could hear their desperate cries for help. ▪ a desperate phone call
2 : very bad or difficult to deal with ▪ The building is in desperate [=terrible, awful] shape and may have to be demolished. ▪ desperate [=hopeless] situations ▪ The outlook was desperate.
3 : done with all of your strength or energy and with little hope of succeeding ▪ a desperate struggle to defeat the enemy ▪ He made a desperate bid/attempt to save his job. ▪ They made one last desperate attempt to fight their way out.
4 : having a strong need or desire for something or to do something ▪ He is desperate for money/attention/work. ▪ After traveling all night, they were desperate for sleep. ▪ She was desperate to prove that she was right.
5 : very severe or strong ▪ The animals were in desperate need of food and water when they were found. ▪ a desperate shortage of medical supplies ▪ The situation called for desperate measures.
2 : very bad or difficult to deal with ▪ The building is in desperate [=terrible, awful] shape and may have to be demolished. ▪ desperate [=hopeless] situations ▪ The outlook was desperate.
3 : done with all of your strength or energy and with little hope of succeeding ▪ a desperate struggle to defeat the enemy ▪ He made a desperate bid/attempt to save his job. ▪ They made one last desperate attempt to fight their way out.
4 : having a strong need or desire for something or to do something ▪ He is desperate for money/attention/work. ▪ After traveling all night, they were desperate for sleep. ▪ She was desperate to prove that she was right.
5 : very severe or strong ▪ The animals were in desperate need of food and water when they were found. ▪ a desperate shortage of medical supplies ▪ The situation called for desperate measures.
—des·per·ate·ly /ˈdɛsprətli/ adverb ▪ We are trying desperately to find a solution. ▪ They desperately struggled to defeat the enemy. ▪ They were desperately [=extremely, terribly] unhappy/poor. ▪ desperately ill patients ▪ We were desperately in need of food and water.
/ˈdɛsprətli/ adverb ▪ We are trying desperately to find a solution. ▪ They desperately struggled to defeat the enemy. ▪ They were desperately [=extremely, terribly] unhappy/poor. ▪ desperately ill patients ▪ We were desperately in need of food and water.