Desperate vs. Disparate — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 29, 2024
Desperate implies urgency or a dire need for something, focusing on emotions; disparate refers to things fundamentally different or distinct in quality.
Difference Between Desperate and Disparate
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Desperate often describes situations or feelings of intense urgency or despair, usually under high-stress conditions or extreme need. On the other hand, disparate indicates a clear distinction or difference between elements, highlighting diversity or dissimilarity.
The term desperate is used to express severe hopelessness or a critical state that compels rash actions or decisions. Whereas, disparate is employed to discuss items or ideas that do not share common features, pointing to a variety in type or category.
In emotional contexts, desperate can describe overwhelming emotions like desperation for help or a solution that seems out of reach. Conversely, disparate rarely relates to emotions and is more often used in analytical or observational contexts to denote variations.
Desperate measures are typically last resort actions taken in dire situations, where usual norms are bypassed due to urgency. On the other hand, disparate measures would involve approaches or methods that are fundamentally different from each other, used in varied contexts.
When people feel desperate, they may act unpredictably, driven by their circumstances. In contrast, identifying disparate elements involves a rational process of distinguishing between characteristics that are inherently unalike.
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Comparison Chart
Meaning
Showing a hopeless sense that a situation is so bad as to be impossible to deal with.
Essentially different in kind; not allowing comparison.
Usage in a sentence
He made a desperate plea for help.
They inhabit disparate worlds of thought.
Emotional context
Often associated with intense emotions.
Not associated with emotions; purely analytical.
Implications
Implies a critical, urgent need.
Indicates diversity or difference.
Type of action
Actions taken are typically rash or extreme due to urgency.
Actions or elements are varied and not linked by commonality.
Compare with Definitions
Desperate
(of an act or attempt) Done with all of one’s strength or resources and with little hope of success.
In a desperate attempt to avoid bankruptcy, he sold his house.
Disparate
Completely dissimilar.
Their personalities are too disparate to make a good team.
Desperate
Very serious or bad.
The doctor said it was a desperate case of pneumonia.
Disparate
Showing a great diversity.
The exhibit showcased disparate styles of painting.
Desperate
Driven to or arising from despair.
He was desperate after losing his job.
Disparate
Essentially different in kind; not allowing comparison.
They tried to compare the disparate concepts of freedom and responsibility.
Desperate
Feeling, showing, or involving a hopeless sense that a situation is so bad as to be impossible to deal with.
The flood victims were desperate for food and water.
Disparate
Markedly distinct in quality or character.
The two studies drew disparate conclusions about the drug's effectiveness.
Desperate
Critical; urgent.
They made a desperate call for emergency aid.
Disparate
Containing elements very different from one another.
A disparate coalition of political groups opposed the bill.
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
Disparate
Essentially different in kind; not able to be compared
They inhabit disparate worlds of thought
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
Disparate
Things so unlike that there is no basis for comparison.
Desperate
Having lost all hope; despairing.
Disparate
Fundamentally distinct or different in kind; entirely dissimilar
"This mixture of apparently disparate materials—scandal and spiritualism, current events and eternal recurrences—is not promising on the face of it" (Garry Wills).
Desperate
Marked by, arising from, or showing despair
The desperate look of hunger.
A desperate cry for help.
Disparate
Containing or composed of dissimilar or opposing elements
A disparate group of people who represented a cross section of the city.
Desperate
Reckless or violent because of despair
A desperate criminal.
Disparate
Composed of inherently different or distinct elements; incongruous.
The board of the company was decidedly disparate, with no two members from the same social or economic background.
Desperate
Undertaken out of extreme urgency or as a last resort
A desperate attempt to save the family business.
Disparate
Essentially different; of different species, unlike but not opposed in pairs
Desperate
Nearly hopeless; critical
A desperate illness.
A desperate situation.
Disparate
Utterly unlike; incapable of being compared; having no common ground.
Desperate
Suffering or driven by great need or distress
Desperate for recognition.
Disparate
Any of a group of unequal or dissimilar things.
Desperate
Extremely intense
Felt a desperate urge to tell the truth.
Disparate
Unequal; dissimilar; separate.
Connecting disparate thoughts, purely by means of resemblances in the words expressing them.
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
Disparate
Pertaining to two coördinate species or divisions.
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.
Disparate
Fundamentally different or distinct in quality or kind;
Such disparate attractions as grand opera and game fishing
Disparate ideas
Desperate
Beyond hope, leaving little reason for hope; causing despair; extremely perilous.
A desperate disease;
Desperate fortune
Disparate
Including markedly dissimilar elements;
A disparate aggregate of creeds and songs and prayers
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 does it mean to feel desperate?
Feeling desperate involves a sense of extreme urgency and hopelessness, often leading to drastic actions.
How might someone act if they are desperate?
Someone who is desperate might take risky or extreme measures that they wouldn’t consider under normal circumstances.
What is a common use of desperate in literature?
In literature, desperate characters are often portrayed in scenarios where they face insurmountable odds or extreme dilemmas.
In what contexts is the term disparate typically used?
Disparate is typically used in analytical, observational, or descriptive contexts to highlight differences.
What kind of solutions might disparate elements offer?
Disparate elements can provide a range of perspectives and solutions, benefiting from their inherent differences.
Can disparate things ever have similarities?
While disparate things are fundamentally different, they may share minor similarities, but their core qualities are distinct.
Can desperate be used positively?
Rarely; while it can denote significant determination or effort, it usually implies a grave situation.
Is desperation always related to negative outcomes?
Not always; sometimes desperation can lead to innovative solutions under pressure, though it is generally associated with negative situations.
Can businesses also be described as desperate?
Yes, businesses can be described as desperate when they are facing critical challenges or potential failure.
What does it mean if two theories are disparate?
If two theories are disparate, it means they are fundamentally different and not directly comparable.
How can desperation affect decision-making?
Desperation can lead to hurried and often less thought-out decisions, focusing on immediate rather than long-term effects.
What is an example of disparate treatment in society?
Disparate treatment in society can be seen when different groups are treated differently without reasonable justification.
Is there a psychological impact of feeling desperate?
Yes, feeling desperate can lead to anxiety, depression, and a significant impact on mental health.
How does desperation manifest in social behavior?
In social behavior, desperation can lead to actions like queue-jumping, hoarding, or other forms of social noncompliance during crises.
How can understanding disparate concepts be beneficial?
Understanding disparate concepts can enhance critical thinking and allow for more comprehensive solutions to complex problems.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
