desperately

adverb

des·​per·​ate·​ly ˈde-sp(ə-)rət-lē How to pronounce desperately (audio)
-spərt-
Synonyms of desperately
1
: in a way that involves despair, extreme measures, or rashness : in a desperate manner
struggling desperately
desperately crying out
2
: extremely, terribly
desperately tired
desperately important

Synonyms of desperately

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Examples of desperately in a Sentence

all of a sudden everything went desperately wrong
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Over the course of 10 years, Vincent created more than 800 paintings and 700 drawings, desperately hoping for financial independence and commercial success. — Joan Martelli, Time, 17 Oct. 2026 Hours before excavators were set to begin work, a handful of residents were still inside, desperately trying to pack up their remaining belongings. — La'tasha Givens, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 Underneath the celebrity and the tabloid headlines is someone who’s vulnerable, funny and desperately trying to hold her life together. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026 Featuring so many characters and elements from the games that non-aficionados are left desperately attempting to keep up, Street Fighter tries to thread the needle between fan service and welcoming the uninitiated. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for desperately

Word History

Etymology

desperate + -ly entry 2

First Known Use

circa 1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of desperately was circa 1547

Browse Nearby Words

desperate
desperately
desperateness
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Cite this Entry

“Desperately.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/desperately. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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