Despaired vs. Desperate — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 17, 2024
Despaired implies a loss of hope, typically after efforts have failed, while desperate conveys urgency or a willingness to do anything to change a dire situation.
Difference Between Despaired and Desperate
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Key Differences
Despaired involves a feeling of hopelessness after exhausting one's options or when facing insurmountable challenges. Whereas desperate refers to a state of urgency and extreme need, often leading individuals to take drastic measures.
Despaired often results from long-term challenges or repeated failures, where the possibility of a positive outcome seems permanently lost. On the other hand, desperate may arise suddenly, driven by immediate and pressing needs.
Despaired is generally passive, highlighting a surrender to circumstances beyond one's control. While desperate is typically active, characterized by frantic efforts or radical steps to avoid failure or disaster.
Despaired carries a connotation of giving up and can sometimes lead to resignation or withdrawal. Conversely, desperate often involves a proactive, albeit reckless, approach to problem-solving.
Despaired might not invoke immediate action, as it reflects a deep-seated sense of defeat. In contrast, desperate situations usually compel immediate, sometimes irrational actions to escape distress.
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Comparison Chart
Nature of Feeling
Hopelessness after efforts have failed
Urgency, willingness to do anything
Trigger
Long-term challenges, repeated failures
Immediate, pressing needs
Behavior
Passive, surrendering
Active, frantic efforts
Outcome
Often leads to resignation or withdrawal
Compels immediate, sometimes radical actions
Connotation
Giving up, sense of defeat
Proactive, sometimes reckless
Compare with Definitions
Despaired
Felt a complete loss of hope.
She despaired at the thought of failing her final exam after so many hours of study.
Desperate
Ready to take any risk to change a dire situation.
In a desperate move, she sold her car to fund her startup.
Despaired
To lose all confidence in a situation.
He despaired as the news of the economic crash came in.
Desperate
Showing a lack of hope but considerable urgency.
Desperate, she called every friend she knew for help.
Despaired
A state reached after exhaustive efforts.
They despaired after the third rescue mission failed.
Desperate
Driven by urgent need or desire.
Desperate for approval, he attempted the dangerous stunt.
Despaired
Giving up in the face of insurmountable odds.
The stranded hiker despaired, realizing rescue was unlikely.
Desperate
Reckless or dangerous because of despair.
The desperate criminal took hostages.
Despaired
To relinquish all hope in recovery.
The doctors despaired of finding a cure.
Desperate
Having an intense, extreme, or drastic nature.
Their situation was desperate, and time was running out.
Despaired
To lose all hope
Despaired of reaching shore safely.
Desperate
Feeling or showing a hopeless sense that a situation is so bad as to be impossible to deal with
A desperate sadness enveloped Ruth
Despaired
To be overcome by a sense of futility or defeat.
Desperate
(of a person) having a great need or desire for something
Other women are desperate to get back to work
I am desperate for a cigarette
Despaired
Complete loss of hope.
Desperate
Having lost all hope; despairing.
Despaired
One despaired of or causing despair
Unmotivated students that are the despair of their teachers.
Desperate
Marked by, arising from, or showing despair
The desperate look of hunger.
A desperate cry for help.
Despaired
Simple past tense and past participle of despair
Desperate
Reckless or violent because of despair
A desperate criminal.
Desperate
Undertaken out of extreme urgency or as a last resort
A desperate attempt to save the family business.
Desperate
Nearly hopeless; critical
A desperate illness.
A desperate situation.
Desperate
Suffering or driven by great need or distress
Desperate for recognition.
Desperate
Extremely intense
Felt a desperate urge to tell the truth.
Desperate
In dire need (of something); having a dire need or desire.
I hadn't eaten in two days and was desperate for food.
Desperate to eat; desperate for attention
Desperate
Being filled with, or in a state of, despair; hopeless.
I was so desperate at one point, I even went to see a loan shark.
Desperate
Beyond hope, leaving little reason for hope; causing despair; extremely perilous.
A desperate disease;
Desperate fortune
Desperate
Involving or employing extreme measures, without regard to danger or safety; reckless due to hopelessness.
He dove into the rushing waters in a desperate effort to save her life.
Desperate
Extremely bad; outrageous, shocking; intolerable.
Desperate
Intense; extremely intense.
Desperate
A person in desperate circumstances or who is at the point of desperation, such as a down-and-outer, addict, etc.
Desperate
Without hope; given to despair; hopeless.
I am desperate of obtaining her.
Desperate
Beyond hope; causing despair; extremely perilous; irretrievable; past cure, or, at least, extremely dangerous; as, a desperate disease; desperate fortune.
Desperate
Proceeding from, or suggested by, despair; without regard to danger or safety; reckless; furious; as, a desperate effort.
Desperate
Extreme, in a bad sense; outrageous; - used to mark the extreme predominance of a bad quality.
A desperate offendress against nature.
The most desperate of reprobates.
Desperate
One desperate or hopeless.
Desperate
A person who is frightened and in need of help;
They prey on the hopes of the desperate
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
Desperate
Desperately determined;
Do-or-die revolutionaries
A do-or-die conflict
Desperate
(of persons) dangerously reckless or violent as from urgency or despair;
A desperate criminal
Taken hostage of desperate men
Desperate
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
They took heroic measures to save his life
Desperate
Showing extreme urgency or intensity especially because of great need or desire;
Felt a desperate urge to confess
A desperate need for recognition
Desperate
Fraught with extreme danger; nearly hopeless;
A desperate illness
On all fronts the Allies were in a desperate situation due to lack of materiel
A dire emergency
Common Curiosities
What might drive a person to feel desperate?
Urgent needs or crises often drive a person to feel desperate.
How do people typically behave when despaired?
They typically withdraw and give up hope.
Can despair lead to inaction?
Yes, despair often leads to inaction or resignation.
What emotional state does despaired reflect?
Despaired reflects a state of hopelessness.
How does society view desperate actions?
Society often views desperate actions as reckless but sometimes necessary.
Is being desperate always negative?
Not always; sometimes it prompts solutions to critical problems.
Do despaired individuals seek help?
Often, they do not, as they feel beyond help.
Is there a typical duration for feeling despaired?
Feeling despaired can last as long as the triggering situation remains unresolved.
What is the difference between being despaired and depressed?
Being despaired is specific to losing hope, while depression is a broader psychological condition.
Can desperation be seen as a motivating factor?
Yes, desperation can motivate people to take necessary but drastic actions.
What kind of solutions might a desperate person consider?
A desperate person might consider unconventional or extreme solutions.
What prompts a transition from despair to desperation?
A transition occurs when a person decides to take action despite the odds.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
