desperate
/ˈdɛspərət/adjective★Intermediate💡 extremely urgent
informal
Feeling of hopelessness; lacking hope.
After losing his job, he felt desperate.
He felt without hope after his job loss.
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Often used to describe emotional states after a setback.
formal
Urgent; requiring immediate action.
The patient was in desperate need of medical attention.
The patient required immediate medical care.
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Common in medical, safety, or crisis contexts.
Collocations
desperate measuresextreme actions taken when other options have faileddesperate needa very urgent requirementdesperate attempta last‑ditch effort made with little chance of success
English Dictionary