desperately

adverb

des·​per·​ate·​ly ˈde-sp(ə-)rət-lē 

-spərt-

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

• extremely
• terribly
• badly
• incredibly
• very
• too
• so
• really
• damn
• damned
• highly
• severely
• seriously
• intensely
• that
• greatly
• far
• especially
• wildly
• fiercely
• heavily
• much

Examples of desperately in a Sentence

all of a sudden everything went desperately wrong

Recent Examples on the Web

And now, everything that this series was building toward – everything this season has hinted at – comes down to one final game in a place the Magic desperately wanted to avoid. —Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2026

The status quo isn’t working for consumers and businesses alike, and profound change is desperately needed to right the ship. —Steven Bradford, Oc Register, 2 May 2026

This bracing clarity about City Hall’s dysfunction is desperately needed. —U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2026

He was acquired from Chicago at the trade deadline in February and has fit seamlessly with a team that desperately needed his ballhandling, transition game and perimeter defense. —Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 1 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

desperate + -ly entry 2

First Known Use

circa 1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1