German word

verzweifelt

Pronunciation

IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈtsvaɪ̯fl̩t/

Meaning

  • adjectivedesperate

Example

Sie war verzweifelt.

She was desperate.

Illustration for verzweifelt (desperate)

More examples

Sie unternahm einen verzweifelten Versuch, die Situation zu retten.

She made a desperate attempt to save the situation.

Core concept

A heavy sense of helplessness surrounds someone who can see no workable way forward and may reach for extreme measures.

Common phrases

  • ein verzweifelter Versuch

    a desperate attempt

  • ein verzweifelter Schrei

    a desperate cry

  • mit verzweifeltem Blick

    with a desperate look

Similar words

hilflos: Unable to help oneself or act effectively in a difficult situation.
ratlos: Unsure what to do and unable to find a practical solution.
aufgelöst: Overcome by emotion and visibly shaken, often close to tears.
niedergeschlagen: Low in spirits, weighed down by sadness and lacking energy.

Definition in German

So hoffnungslos und innerlich belastet, dass man kaum noch einen Ausweg sieht oder zu drastischen Mitteln greift.

Word origin

Verzweifelt comes from the verb verzweifeln and ultimately combines the prefix ver- with zweifeln, 'to doubt', whose meaning extended toward complete loss of hope.

Usage tips

  • The lowercase adjective verzweifelt can also modify a verb directly, as in verzweifelt nach Hilfe suchen, where English often uses the adverb 'desperately'.

Other meanings

  • franticadjective
  • desperatelyadverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word