a person who is frightened and in need of help; they prey on the hopes of the desperate'

arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope; a despairing view of the world situation; the last despairing plea of the condemned criminal; a desperate cry for help; helpless and desperate--as if at the end of his tether; her desperate screams

[ Syn: despairing ]

desperately determined; do-or-die revolutionaries; a do-or-die conflict

[ Syn: do-or-die ]

(of persons) dangerously reckless or violent as from urgency or despair; a desperate criminal; taken hostage of desperate men'

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- G.C.Marshall; they took heroic measures to save his life

[ Syn: heroic ]

showing extreme urgency or intensity especially because of great need or desire; felt a desperate urge to confess; a desperate need for recognition'

fraught with extreme danger; nearly hopeless; a desperate illness; on all fronts the Allies were in a desperate situation due to lack of materiel- G.C.Marshall; a dire emergency

[ Syn: dire ]