desperate

ADJECTIVENOUN /dɛspərɪt/
9 LETTERS · 3 SYLLABLES · STARTS WITH D

desperate is a valid 9-letter word worth 12 points in Scrabble and 13 points in Words with Friends.

SCRABBLE WORDS WITH FRIENDS
D2E1S1P3E1R1A1T1E1
2 + 1 + 1 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 =12 PTS
DOUBLE WORD → 24TRIPLE WORD → 36
MEANING

What does desperate mean?

ADJECTIVE · 6 SENSES
1

Fraught with extreme danger; nearly hopeless.

“a desperate illness”

“on all fronts the Allies were in a desperate situation due to lack of materiel”

SYNONYMS
SIMILAR
2

Arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope.

“a desperate cry for help”

“helpless and desperate--as if at the end of his tether”

SYNONYMS
SIMILAR
3

Desperately determined.

SYNONYMS
SIMILAR
4

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”

SYNONYMS
5

(of persons) dangerously reckless or violent as from urgency or despair.

“a desperate criminal”

“taken hostage of desperate men”

6

Showing extreme urgency or intensity especially because of great need or desire.

“felt a desperate urge to confess”

“a desperate need for recognition”

SIMILAR
NOUN · 1 SENSE
1

A person who is frightened and in need of help.

“they prey on the hopes of the desperate”

NARROWER
RELATED
AT THE BOARD

Anagrams of desperate

SAME TILES, DIFFERENT WORDS

Every anagram above uses exactly the same letters — tap one to see its meaning and score.