Have you ever been so desperate for something that you were willing to do anything to get it? Perhaps you were desperate for a job and were willing to do some not-so-glamorous work just to make ends meet. Or maybe you were desperate for affection and attention and found yourself in a toxic relationship. Whatever the situation, desperate times call for desperate measures.
People often make desperate decisions when they feel like they’re backed into a corner. It’s a natural human response to try to find a way out when we feel like we have no other options. But using desperation as a motivator can sometimes backfire, causing us to make hasty decisions that we later regret. So how do we know when it’s okay to use desperation as a tool, and when it’s time to take a step back and reevaluate our options? It’s a tricky balance to strike, but one that we’re all faced with at some point in our lives.
Ultimately, desperation is a double-edged sword. It can get us out of some tough situations, but it can also lead us down a path of destruction. The key is to recognize when you’re feeling desperate, and to take a moment to assess the situation before you act. If you can do that, then you’ll be able to use desperation to your advantage without letting it consume you. So go ahead and use desperate in a sentence if you have to, but make sure you’re using it in a way that benefits you, rather than harms you in the long run.
Definition of Desperate
Desperate is an adjective that describes a situation or a person who is in a state of hopelessness or extreme need. It refers to a feeling of despair and a sense of urgency to find a way out of a difficult situation. The word desperate comes from the Latin word “desperatus,” which means “given up” or “abandoned.” When we say that someone is desperate, we mean that they are in a critical situation that requires immediate attention or action.
When to use Desperate
Desperate is a word that can be used to describe a variety of situations, but it is important to use it properly to convey the correct meaning. Here are some instances when desperate can be used:
- Desperate measures – This refers to actions taken when all other options have been exhausted. For example, “The company took desperate measures to avoid bankruptcy by laying off half of its employees.”
- Desperate situation – This describes a situation that is dire and requires urgent attention. For example, “The flood victims were in a desperate situation and needed immediate assistance.”
- Desperate plea – This is a request made with great urgency and sincerity. For example, “The mother made a desperate plea to the public to help find her missing child.”
When using desperate, it is important to consider the context of the situation and use it appropriately. Here is an example of how it can be used in a sentence:
“After weeks of searching for a job, John was in a desperate situation and had to take desperate measures by accepting a position that was below his qualifications.”
Etymology of desperate
The word desperate comes from the Latin word desperatus, which means “given up, abandoned.” It was first used in English in the 15th century and has evolved over time to take on its current meaning.
Common phrases using desperate
Desperate is often used in popular phrases, such as:
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Desperate times call for desperate measures | In difficult situations, extreme actions may be required. |
| Desperate for attention | Seeking attention in a manner that may be deemed excessive or inappropriate. |
| Desperately seeking | Searching with great urgency for something that is sought after. |
By understanding the different ways that desperate can be used, you can accurately convey your intended meaning and avoid misusing the word.
Synonyms for Desperate
When writing, using the same word over and over again can become monotonous and weaken the overall impact of your message. In this case, it’s essential to have a list of synonyms for “desperate” to add some variety to your writing. Here are some of the most commonly used synonyms:
- Despondent
- Hopeless
- Despairing
- Futile
- Wretched
- Distraught
- Utter
- Agonizing
- Pathetic
- Needy
- Critical
- Pressing
- Urgent
By incorporating these synonyms into your writing, you can make your message stronger and more impactful. It’s important to use the appropriate synonym based on the tone and context of your writing, so be sure to choose carefully.
To help you better understand the differences between these synonyms, here’s a table of their meanings:
| Synonym | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Despondent | Feeling or showing profound hopelessness, dejection, discouragement, or gloom |
| Hopeless | Feeling or causing despair about something, having no expectation of good or success |
| Despairing | Feeling or expressing hopelessness or despondency |
| Futile | Incapable of producing any useful result |
| Wretched | Very unfortunate in condition or circumstances, characterized by misery or sorrow |
| Distraught | Deeply agitated or disturbed, upset |
| Utter | Complete, absolute |
| Agonizing | Experiencing great physical or mental pain |
| Pathetic | Arousing or deserving pity, especially because of one’s inadequacy or unimportance |
| Needy | In great need, very poor |
| Critical | Expressing adverse or disapproving comments or judgments, essential or decisive |
| Pressing | Requiring immediate attention, urgent |
| Urgent | Requiring immediate action or attention |
Overall, using synonyms for “desperate” can add depth and variety to your writing. It’s important to choose the appropriate synonym based on the tone and context of your writing, and incorporating them will improve the overall impact of your message.
Antonyms for Desperate
Desperate is commonly associated with feelings of hopelessness, despondency, and despair. However, it is always useful to have alternatives in our vocabulary, and antonyms for desperate are no exception. Here are a few options to consider:
- Hopeful – indicating optimism or expectation of future success or happiness
- Confident – feeling or showing assurance in one’s abilities, qualities, or judgment
- Calm – remaining tranquil and composed, even in challenging situations
- Relaxed – free from tension and anxiety, or reduced in intensity
- Content – satisfied with what one has; not wanting more or different
Choosing the right word to convey a particular emotion can be challenging, but having a wide vocabulary gives us the tools we need to express ourselves more clearly and convincingly. Sometimes, using an antonym can be more effective than stating the opposite directly, as it can add nuance and complexity to our language.
Here is a table that further explores the nuances of some of the antonyms for “desperate” mentioned above:
| Antonym | Definition | Example |
| Hopeful | feeling or inspiring optimism about a future event or outcome | “Despite the setbacks, she remained hopeful that things would improve soon.” |
| Confident | feeling or showing certainty about something | “The team was confident they could win the game, even though they were behind at half-time.” |
| Calm | not showing or feeling nervousness, anger, or other strong emotions | “He took a deep breath and tried to remain calm, even though he was running late for the job interview.” |
| Relaxed | free from tension and anxiety, or reduced in intensity | “After a long day at work, he enjoyed listening to some music and relaxing on the couch.” |
| Content | satisfied with what one has; not wanting more or different | “She was content with her life as it was, and didn’t feel the need to pursue more money or success.” |
In conclusion, while desperate is a powerful word that can accurately describe intense feelings of distress or urgency, it is always good to have alternatives at our disposal. Antonyms such as hopeful, confident, calm, relaxed, and content can add depth and nuance to our language, and help us communicate more effectively with others.
Examples of Desperate in Conversation
Using desperate in conversation can convey a sense of urgency or intense need. Here are some examples of how it can be used:
- “I’m absolutely desperate for a vacation. I need to get away and disconnect for a little while.”
- “My friend is so desperate for a job that she’s been applying to every position she finds, even ones that don’t match her qualifications.”
- “The company was desperate to meet their sales quota for the quarter, so they offered a significant discount to customers.”
In these examples, desperate is used to show the speaker’s strong desire or need for something. It can also be used to describe a situation where there is a sense of urgency or desperation.
It’s important to note that using desperate in conversation should be done carefully and sparingly. Overusing the word can make a speaker sound overly emotional or melodramatic. Instead, it’s best to use it only when appropriate and in situations where there is a genuine sense of urgency or need.
Desperate in Comparison
Using the word desperate in comparison can also be a useful way to emphasize the intensity of a situation. For example:
“The drought in California is getting desperate. The lack of water is causing significant damage to crops and farm animals.”
In this example, desperate is used to show the severity of the situation and to highlight the urgent need for a solution. Comparing the current state to one of desperation can also evoke strong emotions in the listener and help them understand the severity of the situation.
Desperate in Advertising
Desperate is a powerful word that can be used to create a sense of urgency or need in advertising. For example:
| Ad Copy | Call to Action |
|---|---|
| Don’t miss out on this limited-time offer! | Act now before it’s too late! |
| Our product is the solution you’ve been looking for! | Order now and start experiencing the benefits! |
| Time is running out to take advantage of our discount! | Order today and save! |
In these examples, desperate language is used to encourage the reader to take action immediately. By creating a sense of urgency, advertisers hope to drive sales and increase conversions.
Idioms Featuring the Word Desperate
Desperate times call for desperate measures, and that’s just the beginning of the idiomatic expressions that use the word ‘desperate.’ Below are some of the most common idioms featuring the word desperate:
- Desperate attempt: A last-ditch effort to achieve something, often with little hope of success. Example: “After failing to win the championship twice before, the team made a desperate attempt to come out on top this year.”
- Desperate times: A period of extreme difficulty or crisis, often when all other options have been exhausted. Example: “During the Great Depression, many families were forced to resort to desperate times to make ends meet.”
- Desperate for: Wanting or needing something very badly. Example: “After being stranded on the island for days, the castaways were desperate for rescue.”
- Desperate plea: A sincere and urgent request for help or mercy. Example: “The mother made a desperate plea to find her missing child.”
- Desperate situation: A difficult or dangerous circumstance that requires immediate action. Example: “The pilot faced a desperate situation when the plane’s engine failed mid-flight.”
- Desperate times call for desperate measures: A proverb that means when things get bad, unusual or extreme actions may be necessary to survive or succeed. Example: “I know it’s not ideal, but desperate times call for desperate measures, and we may have to sell our house to pay off our debts.”
In summary, the word ‘desperate’ is often used in idiomatic expressions to convey a sense of urgency, need, or difficulty. These idioms can be used in everyday conversation, writing, or speech to add emphasis and impact to your message.
Here is a table summarizing the idioms featuring the word ‘desperate’:
| Idiom | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Desperate attempt | A last-ditch effort to achieve something, often with little hope of success. | After failing to win the championship twice before, the team made a desperate attempt to come out on top this year. |
| Desperate times | A period of extreme difficulty or crisis, often when all other options have been exhausted. | During the Great Depression, many families were forced to resort to desperate times to make ends meet. |
| Desperate for | Wanting or needing something very badly. | After being stranded on the island for days, the castaways were desperate for rescue. |
| Desperate plea | A sincere and urgent request for help or mercy. | The mother made a desperate plea to find her missing child. |
| Desperate situation | A difficult or dangerous circumstance that requires immediate action. | The pilot faced a desperate situation when the plane’s engine failed mid-flight. |
| Desperate times call for desperate measures | A proverb that means when things get bad, unusual or extreme actions may be necessary to survive or succeed. | I know it’s not ideal, but desperate times call for desperate measures, and we may have to sell our house to pay off our debts. |
By using these idioms in your writing or conversation, you can effectively communicate a sense of urgency, need, or crisis, making your message more impactful and memorable.
Common Collocations with Desperate
When using the word desperate, it is common to pair it with certain phrases or words that form a collocation, which is a set of words that commonly occur together.
- Desperate measures: When someone is in a tough situation and has no other option, they may take desperate measures, which are extreme actions taken to solve the problem. For example, “She took desperate measures to pay off her debt by selling all her belongings.”
- Desperate plea: This collocation is used when someone is begging for help or mercy. For example, “The family made a desperate plea for the safe return of their missing daughter.”
- Desperate attempt: When someone tries to do something that is difficult or impossible, they may make a desperate attempt. For example, “He made a desperate attempt to climb the mountain, despite the freezing temperatures.”
Other common collocations with desperate include “desperate situation,” “desperate struggle,” “desperate need,” and “desperate times.” These phrases all convey a sense of urgency and the need for immediate action.
| Collocation | Definition |
|---|---|
| Desperate measures | Extreme actions taken to solve a problem when all other options have failed |
| Desperate plea | A request for help or mercy made in a very emotional and urgent way |
| Desperate attempt | An effort to do something that is difficult or impossible |
Overall, using collocations with desperate can add depth and specificity to your writing, conveying a sense of urgency and a need for immediate action.
How Do You Use Desperate in a Sentence: 7 FAQs
1. What is the meaning of desperate?
Desperate means feeling or showing a hopeless sense of being overwhelmed or in need of help, either in a positive or negative sense.
2. Can desperate be used to describe a situation?
Yes, you can use desperate to describe a situation that requires urgent attention or has become unmanageable.
3. How can I use desperate to describe a person?
You can use desperate to describe a person who is anxious, panicky, or in a state of despair.
4. Is it appropriate to use desperate to describe a positive situation?
Yes, you can use desperate to describe a positive situation when someone is in urgent need of something good or desirable.
5. Are there any synonyms for desperate?
Yes, some synonyms for desperate are hopeless, frantic, and urgent.
6. Can I use desperate in a professional context?
Yes, you can use desperate in a professional context to indicate urgency or extreme need in a situation.
7. Can desperate be used to describe a feeling?
Yes, you can use desperate to describe a feeling of overwhelming need or desire for something.
Closing: Thanks for Reading!
We hope that these FAQs have helped you understand how to use desperate in a sentence. Remember, desperate can be used in both positive and negative contexts to describe a sense of need or urgency. If you have any further questions, feel free to visit us again later. Thanks for reading!