desperately

adverb

DES-pruht-lee/ˈdɛsp(ə)ɹətli/

2 meanings of desperately

1
adverb
To an extreme degree; very greatly, often with a sense of urgency or strong feeling.
The remote village was desperately short of clean drinking water.
He desperately needed the loan to keep his small business open.
Similarbadly, urgently, seriously, severely, sorely
Oppositeslightly, mildly
2
adverb
In the reckless way of someone driven by desperation, with no thought for danger or personal safety.
The cornered soldiers fought desperately to break through the enemy line.
She drove desperately through the flooded streets to reach the hospital in time.
Similarfrantically, recklessly, furiously, fiercely, wildly
Oppositecalmly, cautiously, carefully

Practice

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Origin

Formed from "desperate" with the suffix "-ly".