Top synonyms for “desperate”: despairing, dire, do-or-die(a), heroic, brave, courageous, critical, dangerous, and 4 more below.
Definitions
- (noun)a person who is frightened and in need of help“they prey on the hopes of the desperate”
- (adjective)showing extreme courage; especially of actions courageously undertaken in desperation as a last resort“made a last desperate attempt to reach the climber”
- (adjective)fraught with extreme danger; nearly hopeless“a desperate illness”
- (adjective)showing extreme urgency or intensity especially because of great need or desire“felt a desperate urge to confess”
- (adjective)arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope“a despairing view of the world situation”
- (adjective)desperately determined“do-or-die revolutionaries”
- (adjective)(of persons) dangerously reckless or violent as from urgency or despair“a desperate criminal”
Definitions sourced from Princeton WordNet (BSD license).
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is another word for "desperate"?
Common synonyms for "desperate" include despairing, dire, do-or-die(a), heroic, brave, courageous. Our thesaurus lists 12 total alternatives drawn from Princeton WordNet. Click any synonym to find its rhymes.
What does "desperate" mean?
a person who is frightened and in need of help Example: "they prey on the hopes of the desperate"
How do I use synonyms when writing lyrics?
Synonyms give you more options to match syllable counts, meter, and rhyme schemes. When a word fits the meaning but not the rhythm, swap in a synonym with a different syllable count. Click any synonym above to jump straight to its rhyme page and continue writing.
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