desperately

/ˈdɛspərətli/
adverb
  1. In a way that shows a strong need or desire, often because of a difficult situation.
    • He searched desperately for his keys before the meeting.
    • The team desperately needed a win to stay in the playoffs.
    • She desperately wanted to find her lost dog.
  2. In a way that involves great danger or difficulty, with little hope.
    • The climber clung desperately to the edge of the cliff.
    • The soldiers fought desperately to defend the city.
    • They worked desperately to stop the leak before the dam broke.
  3. Used to emphasize how extreme or serious something is.
    • The situation was desperately sad for everyone involved.
    • The hospital is desperately short of medical supplies.
    • The region is desperately poor and needs international aid.
Antonyms
What does "desperately" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean