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desperateness

 - 2 dictionary results

des⋅per⋅ate

  [des-per-it, -prit]
Use desperateness in a Sentence
–adjective
1. reckless or dangerous because of despair or urgency: a desperate killer.
2. having an urgent need, desire, etc.: desperate for attention.
3. leaving little or no hope; very serious or dangerous: a desperate illness.
4. extremely bad; intolerable or shocking: clothes in desperate taste.
5. extreme or excessive.
6. making a final, ultimate effort; giving all: a desperate attempt to save a life.
7. actuated by a feeling of hopelessness.
8. having no hope; giving in to despair.
–noun
9. Obsolete. a desperado.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME < L dēspērātus, ptp. of dēspērāre to despair; see -ate 1

Related forms:
des⋅per⋅ate⋅ly, adverb
des⋅per⋅ate⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. rash, frantic. 3. grave. See hopeless. 8. forlorn, desolate.

Antonyms:
1. careful. 3, 8. hopeful.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To desperateness
des·per·ate   (děs'pər-ĭt)   
adj.  

  1. Having lost all hope; despairing.

  2. Marked by, arising from, or showing despair: the desperate look of hunger; a desperate cry for help.

  3. Reckless or violent because of despair: a desperate criminal.

  4. Undertaken out of extreme urgency or as a last resort: a desperate attempt to save the family business.

  5. Nearly hopeless; critical: a desperate illness; a desperate situation.

  6. Suffering or driven by great need or distress: desperate for recognition.

  7. Extremely intense: felt a desperate urge to tell the truth.


[Middle English desperat, from Latin dēspērātus, past participle of dēspērāre, to despair; see despair.]
des'per·ate·ly adv., des'per·ate·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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