Desperate

Feeling, showing, or caused by a hopeless sense that a situation is so bad as to require drastic action; having an extreme need or desire. It often implies a loss of hope, control, and rational thought, leading to reckless or extreme behavior. This state can stem from financial hardship, emotional distress, life-threatening situations, or intense yearning. It encompasses a spectrum of intensity, from mild anxiety to profound anguish. It suggests a willingness to take risks and disregard conventional norms in an effort to find a solution or satisfy a need, sometimes with devastating consequences. The word conveys a sense of urgency and a feeling of being at the brink of collapse or ruin.

Desperate meaning with examples

• After losing her job and facing eviction, Sarah grew desperate for money. She was willing to try anything, even risky schemes, just to keep her family from being homeless. She felt trapped and overwhelmed, the pressure mounting with each passing day. Her desperation led her down paths she never imagined, fueled by fear and a fierce protectiveness for her children. The weight of her circumstances felt unbearable.
• The stranded hikers were desperate for water after being lost in the desert for three days. Dehydration had set in, and they knew their chances of survival were dwindling with each passing hour. They were willing to filter contaminated water sources, risk getting lost, and do whatever it took to find sustenance. Their thirst overwhelmed all other concerns, driving them to the edge of their physical and mental limits.
• The country, after a long drought, was desperate for rain, the farmers facing ruin. The crops had withered, and the livestock were dying. They had tried everything, even traditional rituals, to implore the heavens for relief. The desperation was evident in the weary faces of the people and the parched earth beneath their feet. The situation was critical, threatening food shortages and economic collapse.
• Driven by a desperate desire for recognition, the young artist was willing to sacrifice his artistic integrity to gain popularity. He compromised his personal convictions and created art he knew was not his best work to conform to trends and appease critics. He was willing to lose his artistic identity for the sake of recognition. His desperate actions ultimately failed to bring him the fulfillment he craved.