Desperate vs. Hopeless — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 25, 2024
Desperate implies a state of urgency and great need for a solution, whereas hopeless suggests a lack of prospects or possibility of improvement.
Difference Between Desperate and Hopeless
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Desperate often describes situations or feelings involving extreme urgency or a critical need for change, while hopeless refers to scenarios where no solutions seem viable.
Individuals feel desperate when they believe there is still an opportunity to alter their circumstances, whereas feeling hopeless indicates a belief that all options have been exhausted and nothing can be done.
Desperate measures are typically taken as a last resort due to the pressing nature of a problem, on the other hand, a hopeless situation might not inspire any action because the outcome is presumed to be unchangeable.
In literature, desperate characters are often portrayed as taking drastic, sometimes irrational actions to resolve their dilemmas, whereas hopeless characters may be depicted as resigned and inactive.
The emotion of desperation can lead to unexpected outcomes and innovations, as people are pushed to their limits. Conversely, hopelessness can result in a stagnant state where motivation is lacking due to perceived futility.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Feeling, showing, or involving a hopeless sense that a situation is so bad as to be impossible to deal with.
Feeling or causing despair about something.
Emotional Tone
Urgent, frantic
Resigned, despondent
Implication for Action
Often prompts drastic actions
Often leads to inaction due to despair
Outlook on Solution
Still believes in the possibility of a solution
Believes no solution is possible
Common Usage
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
A hopeless case.
Compare with Definitions
Desperate
Requiring or showing a great effort to avoid failure.
In a desperate attempt, she tried the untested method.
Hopeless
Marked by despair or pessimism.
His hopeless expression told the entire story.
Desperate
Extremely bad or serious.
The situation looked desperate with no end in sight.
Hopeless
Lacking any expectation of good or success.
Hopeless cases often don't receive enough attention.
Desperate
Having a great need or desire.
He was desperate to prove his point.
Hopeless
Inadequate or incompetent; not able to succeed.
He felt hopeless at his new job.
Desperate
Feeling a loss of hope with an urgent need for a solution.
Desperate for help, he called everyone he knew.
Hopeless
Unpromising or unlikely to have a positive outcome.
It was a hopeless plan from the start.
Desperate
Driven to action by a lack of hope and a sense of urgency.
Desperate circumstances led them to take drastic measures.
Hopeless
Incapable of being remedied, improved, or solved.
The situation seemed hopeless after several failed attempts.
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
Hopeless
Having no hope; despairing
Lost hikers who felt hopeless.
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
Hopeless
Characterized by despair
Hopeless resignation.
Desperate
Having lost all hope; despairing.
Hopeless
Having no possibility of being solved or dealt with; impossible
A hopeless problem.
A hopeless disease.
Desperate
Marked by, arising from, or showing despair
The desperate look of hunger.
A desperate cry for help.
Hopeless
Having no hope or chance of changing or improving
A hopeless romantic.
A hopeless procrastinator.
Desperate
Reckless or violent because of despair
A desperate criminal.
Hopeless
Without hope; despairing; not expecting anything positive.
Desperate
Undertaken out of extreme urgency or as a last resort
A desperate attempt to save the family business.
Hopeless
Giving no ground of hope; promising nothing desirable; desperate.
A hopeless cause
Desperate
Nearly hopeless; critical
A desperate illness.
A desperate situation.
Hopeless
Without talent, not skilled.
He's a hopeless writer, but can draw very well.
Desperate
Suffering or driven by great need or distress
Desperate for recognition.
Hopeless
(of an adverse condition) Incurable.
She is a hopeless romantic.
He is a hopeless idler.
Desperate
Extremely intense
Felt a desperate urge to tell the truth.
Hopeless
Destitute of hope; having no expectation of good; despairing.
I am a woman, friendless, hopeless.
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
Hopeless
Giving no ground of hope; promising nothing desirable; desperate; as, a hopeless cause.
The hopelessword of "never to return"Breathe I against thee, upon pain of life.
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.
Hopeless
Unhoped for; despaired of.
Desperate
Beyond hope, leaving little reason for hope; causing despair; extremely perilous.
A desperate disease;
Desperate fortune
Hopeless
Without hope because there seems to be no possibility of comfort or success;
In an agony of hopeless grief
With a hopeless sigh he sat down
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.
Hopeless
Of a person unable to do something skillfully;
I'm hopeless at mathematics
Desperate
Extremely bad; outrageous, shocking; intolerable.
Hopeless
Certain to fail;
The situation is hopeless
Desperate
Intense; extremely intense.
Hopeless
(informal to emphasize how bad it is) beyond hope of management or reform;
She handed me a hopeless jumble of papers
He is a hopeless romantic
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 type of scenarios typically evoke a feeling of desperation?
Scenarios involving time-sensitive crises or significant personal stakes evoke desperation.
Is feeling hopeless always a permanent state?
No, feelings of hopelessness can change depending on new perspectives or changes in circumstances.
What is the primary emotion associated with desperation?
Desperation is primarily associated with urgency and critical need.
Can desperation lead to positive outcomes?
Yes, desperation can lead to innovation and unexpected solutions as it often forces people to take drastic actions.
How do literature and films typically portray desperate characters?
They are often shown taking extreme measures to change their situation.
How does hopelessness affect one’s actions?
Hopelessness typically leads to inaction, as individuals see no viable solutions or positive outcomes.
What are common synonyms for desperate?
Frantic, urgent, dire.
What differentiates a desperate situation from a hopeless one?
A desperate situation still holds a possibility for resolution, whereas a hopeless situation is seen as having no viable solutions.
What are common synonyms for hopeless?
Futile, bleak, despairing.
Is hopelessness a common theme in psychological studies?
Yes, it's a significant aspect in studies of depression and mental health.
How does society view desperate actions?
Desperate actions are sometimes seen as justified due to the severe circumstances that prompt them.
Does desperation imply negativity?
While often viewed negatively, desperation can also be a catalyst for positive change.
How can one cope with feelings of hopelessness?
Seeking support, focusing on small achievable goals, and therapy can help cope with hopelessness.
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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.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
