DESPERATELY: Synonyms and Related Words. What is Another Word for DESPERATELY?

Need another word that means the same as “desperately”? Find 17 synonyms and 30 related words for “desperately” in this overview.

The synonyms of “Desperately” are: urgently, in desperation, in despair, despairingly, in anguish, in distress, seriously, gravely, severely, critically, acutely, dangerously, perilously, hazardously, precariously, intensely, eagerly

Desperately as an Adverb

Definitions of "Desperately" as an adverb

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “desperately” as an adverb can have the following definitions:

• Used to emphasize the extreme degree of something.
• In a way that shows despair.
• With great urgency.
• In intense despair.

Synonyms of "Desperately" as an adverb (17 Words)

acutely	(with reference to something unpleasant or unwelcome) intensely. The whole situation was acutely embarrassing.
critically	With decisive or crucial importance in the success, failure, or existence of something. Critically ill patients who were awaiting surgery.
dangerously	In a dangerous manner. During the night Mary was taken dangerously ill.
despairingly	With desperation. Why can t you understand she asked despairingly.
eagerly	Used to emphasize a strong desire to do or have something. Original illustrations are eagerly sought by collectors.
gravely	To a severe or serious degree. He fell gravely ill.
hazardously	In a dangerous manner.
in anguish	To or toward the inside of.
in despair	To or toward the inside of.
in desperation	To or toward the inside of.
in distress	To or toward the inside of.
intensely	With extreme effort or attention. She intensely disliked any form of confrontation.
perilously	In a way that is full of danger or risk. Many came perilously close to starvation.
precariously	In a way that is uncertain or dependent on chance. The team clung precariously to their lead.
seriously	With earnest intent; not lightly or superficially. Three men are seriously ill in hospital.
severely	To an undesirably great or intense degree. A severely impaired heart.
urgently	With great urgency. Police are urgently seeking witnesses to the attack.

Usage Examples of "Desperately" as an adverb

• He desperately needed a drink.
• The soil desperately needed potash.
• He looked around desperately.
• I am desperately disappointed.

Associations of "Desperately" (30 Words)

acutely	In an acute manner. The whole situation was acutely embarrassing.
adhere	Closely follow, observe, or represent. The account adhered firmly to fact.
appeal	Attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates. An appeal for help.
asking	The verbal act of requesting.
beg	Acquire food or money from someone by begging. They had to beg for food.
beseech	Ask (someone) urgently and fervently to do something; implore; entreat. They beseeched him to stay.
cadge	A padded wooden frame on which hooded hawks are carried to the field. He cadged fivers off old school friends.
cling	A clingstone peach. You are clinging to him for security.
despair	The complete loss or absence of hope. Don t despair help is on the way.
entreat	Ask someone earnestly or anxiously to do something. His friends entreated him not to go.
entreaty	An earnest or humble request. An entreaty to stop the fighting.
exhortation	The act of exhorting; an earnest attempt at persuasion. No amount of exhortation had any effect.
frustration	An event or circumstance that causes one to feel frustrated. The frustration of their wishes.
implore	Beg earnestly for. He implored her to change her mind.
invitation	The action of inviting someone to go somewhere or to do something. A club with membership by invitation only.
keen	Interested in or attracted by (someone or something. A keen wind cut through their thick overalls.
lamentation	A cry of sorrow and grief. Scenes of lamentation.
petition	Present a petition to an authority in respect of a particular cause. A steady stream of petitions to Allah were audible.
plea	An answer indicating why a suit should be dismissed. Her plea of a headache was not entirely false.
plead	Make an allegation in an action or other legal proceeding especially answer the previous pleading of the other party by denying facts therein stated or by alleging new facts. She pleaded not guilty.
please	Used to express incredulity or irritation. Please address letters to the Editor.
request	The verbal act of requesting. A request for information.
sharply	In a well delineated manner. The new style of Minoan pottery was sharply defined.
solicit	Make a solicitation or entreaty for something request urgently or persistently. Don t solicit for money.
solicitation	Request for a sum of money. He was a regular target for solicitation of funds.
sorrow	An event or circumstance that causes sorrow. He tried to express his sorrow at her loss.
suppliant	Making or expressing a plea, especially to someone in power or authority. A suppliant sinner seeking forgiveness.
supplicant	A person making a humble or earnest plea to someone in power or authority. Supplicants prostrate themselves on the floor.
supplicate	Ask for humbly or earnestly, as in prayer. The plutocracy supplicated to be made peers.
woo	Seek the favour, support, or custom of. Pop stars are being wooed by film companies eager to sign them up.