desperate

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♦ des|per|ate /d'espərət/
1 [ADJ]
If you are desperate, you are in such a bad situation that you are willing to try anything to change it.
Troops are needed to help get food into Kosovo where people are in desperate need...
He made a desperate attempt to hijack a plane.
● desperately [ADV] ADV with v
Thousands are desperately trying to leave their battered homes.
2 [ADJ] v-link ADJ, usu ADJ to-inf, ADJ for n
If you are desperate for something or desperate to do something, you want or need it very much indeed.
They'd been married nearly four years and June was desperate to start a family...
People are desperate for him to do something.
● desperately [ADV] ADV with v
He was a boy who desperately needed affection.
3 [ADJ]
A desperate situation is very difficult, serious, or dangerous.
India's United Nations ambassador said the situation is desperate...
= dire

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