Word Explorer
Children's
Dictionary Suite
Help
Help
Help
 
Beginner's Dictionary
       

des·per·ate

desperate

 
 
pronunciation:
de sp riht [or] de spriht
features:
Word Builder, Word Explorer
part of speech: adjective
definition 1: having almost no way to escape from or solve.
The people in the burning building were in a desperate situation.
synonyms:
critical
similar words:
urgent
definition 2: having a great need.
She was desperate for water.
similar words:
mad, wild
derivations: desperately (adv.), desperateness (n.)
Word Builder: desperate +
  • desperately:
    in a desperate way.
Word Explorer
See
  emotion