Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun desperate

1 sense of desperate

Sense 1
desperate -- (a person who is frightened and in need of help; "they prey on the hopes of the desperate")
       => unfortunate, unfortunate person -- (a person who suffers misfortune)

Antonyms of adj desperate

6 senses of desperate

Sense 1
despairing, desperate -- (arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope; "a despairing view of the world situation"; "the last despairing plea of the condemned criminal"; "a desperate cry for help"; "helpless and desperate--as if at the end of his tether"; "her desperate screams")

INDIRECT (VIA hopeless) -> hopeful -- (having or manifesting hope; "a line of people hopeful of obtaining tickets"; "found a hopeful way of attacking the problem")

Sense 2
desperate, do-or-die (prenominal) -- (desperately determined; "do-or-die revolutionaries"; "a do-or-die conflict")

INDIRECT (VIA resolute) -> irresolute -- (uncertain how to act or proceed; "the committee was timid and mediocre and irresolute")

Sense 3
desperate -- ((of persons) dangerously reckless or violent as from urgency or despair; "a desperate criminal"; "taken hostage of desperate men")

INDIRECT (VIA dangerous) -> safe -- (free from danger or the risk of harm; "a safe trip"; "you will be safe here"; "a safe place"; "a safe bet")

Sense 4
desperate, heroic -- (showing extreme courage; especially of actions courageously undertaken in desperation as a last resort; "made a last desperate attempt to reach the climber"; "the desperate gallantry of our naval task forces marked the turning point in the Pacific war"- G.C.Marshall; "they took heroic measures to save his life")

INDIRECT (VIA brave) -> cowardly, fearful -- (lacking courage; ignobly timid and faint-hearted; "cowardly dogs, ye will not aid me then"- P.B.Shelley)

Sense 5
desperate -- (showing extreme urgency or intensity especially because of great need or desire; "felt a desperate urge to confess"; "a desperate need for recognition")

INDIRECT (VIA imperative) -> beseeching, pleading, imploring -- (begging)

Sense 6
desperate, dire -- (fraught with extreme danger; nearly hopeless; "a desperate illness"; "on all fronts the Allies were in a desperate situation due to lack of materiel"- G.C.Marshall; "a dire emergency")

INDIRECT (VIA critical) -> noncritical, noncrucial -- (not in a state of crisis or emergency)

Similarity of adj desperate

6 senses of desperate

Sense 1
despairing, desperate -- (arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope; "a despairing view of the world situation"; "the last despairing plea of the condemned criminal"; "a desperate cry for help"; "helpless and desperate--as if at the end of his tether"; "her desperate screams")
       => hopeless (vs. hopeful) -- (without hope because there seems to be no possibility of comfort or success; "in an agony of hopeless grief"; "with a hopeless sigh he sat down")

Sense 2
desperate, do-or-die (prenominal) -- (desperately determined; "do-or-die revolutionaries"; "a do-or-die conflict")
       => resolute (vs. irresolute) -- (firm in purpose or belief; characterized by firmness and determination; "stood resolute against the enemy"; "faced with a resolute opposition"; "a resolute and unshakeable faith")

Sense 3
desperate -- ((of persons) dangerously reckless or violent as from urgency or despair; "a desperate criminal"; "taken hostage of desperate men")
       => dangerous (vs. safe), unsafe -- (involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm; "a dangerous criminal"; "a dangerous bridge"; "unemployment reached dangerous proportions")

Sense 4
desperate, heroic -- (showing extreme courage; especially of actions courageously undertaken in desperation as a last resort; "made a last desperate attempt to reach the climber"; "the desperate gallantry of our naval task forces marked the turning point in the Pacific war"- G.C.Marshall; "they took heroic measures to save his life")
       => brave (vs. cowardly), courageous -- (possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching; "Familiarity with danger makes a brave man braver but less daring"- Herman Melville; "a frank courageous heart...triumphed over pain"- William Wordsworth; "set a courageous example by leading them safely into and out of enemy-held territory")

Sense 5
desperate -- (showing extreme urgency or intensity especially because of great need or desire; "felt a desperate urge to confess"; "a desperate need for recognition")
       => imperative (vs. beseeching) -- (requiring attention or action; "as nuclear weapons proliferate, preventing war becomes imperative"; "requests that grew more and more imperative")

Sense 6
desperate, dire -- (fraught with extreme danger; nearly hopeless; "a desperate illness"; "on all fronts the Allies were in a desperate situation due to lack of materiel"- G.C.Marshall; "a dire emergency")
       => critical (vs. noncritical) -- (being in or verging on a state of crisis or emergency; "a critical shortage of food"; "a critical illness"; "an illness at the critical stage")