The term "desperate" has played a significant role in literature, drama, and popular culture. In psychological contexts, desperation is often linked to extreme emotional states, which can drive individuals to make impulsive or risky decisions. The word is frequently used to convey the urgency of human needs in both literal and metaphorical senses.
Word 'desperate' in Other Languages
- desperate in Assamese অসমীয়া
- desperate in Bengali বাংলা
- desperate in Bodo बड़ो
- desperate in Dogri डोगरी
- desperate in English
- desperate in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
- desperate in Hindi हिन्दी
- desperate in Kannada ಕನ್ನಡ
- desperate in Kashmiri कॉशुर
- desperate in Konkani कोंकणी
- desperate in Maithili মৈথিলী
- desperate in Malayalam മലയാളം
- desperate in Manipuri মৈতৈলোন্
- desperate in Marathi मराठी
- desperate in Nepali नेपाली
- desperate in Oriya ଓଡ଼ିଆ
- desperate in Punjabi ਪੰਜਾਬੀ
- desperate in Sanskrit संस्कृतम्
- desperate in Santali
- desperate in Sindhi سنڌي
- desperate in Tamil தமிழ்
- desperate in Telugu తెలుగు
- desperate in Urdu اُردُو
desperate
Part of Speech
Adjective
Pronunciation
English: /ˈdɛspərɪt/, /ˈdɛspəreɪt/
Definitions
- Feeling, showing, or involving a hopeless sense that a situation is so bad as to be impossible to deal with.
- Having a great need or desire for something.
- Willing to take risks or act without regard for consequences out of urgency or need.
Usage Examples
- He made a desperate attempt to save the child.
- They were desperate for water after two days in the desert.
- In his desperate state, he agreed to the dangerous plan.
Etymology
From Latin desperatus, past participle of desperare ("to despair"), from de- + sperare ("to hope"). First recorded in English in the late 14th century.
Synonyms
- Hopeless
- Frantic
- Anxious
- Despondent
- Despairing
Antonyms
- Hopeful
- Optimistic
- Confident
- Calm
- Assured
Translations
| Language | Translations | Pronunciations |
|---|---|---|
| French | désespéré | /dezɛspeʁe/ |
| Spanish | desesperado | /desespeˈɾaðo/ |
| German | verzweifelt | /fɛɐ̯ˈt͡svaɪflt/ |
| Hindi | निराश | /niraːʃ/ |
| Tamil | நம்பிக்கையிழந்த | /nambikkai iḻanda/ |
| Russian | отчаянный | /ɐtˈt͡ɕæjənnɨj/ |
| Arabic | يائس | /jaːʔis/ |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 绝望的 | /jué wàng de/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- British English: /ˈdɛspərɪt/
- American English: /ˈdɛspəreɪt/
Historical Usage
The word has been used since the 14th century to describe a person who has lost all hope. It gained popularity in literature during the Renaissance and has since been used widely to describe urgent or hopeless situations.
Cultural Nuances
"Desperate" often carries a negative connotation, especially in Western cultures, where desperation is associated with loss of control or poor decision-making.