désespérément

desperately

adverb day-zes-pay-ray-MAHN Rare

Usage Note

Désespérément derives from désespéré ('desperate') and conveys both intensity and futility; j'attends désespérément suggests waiting with little hope. The five-syllable length makes it feel emphatic in speech.

Examples

"Elle cherche désespérément une solution."

Natural Translation

She is desperately looking for a solution.

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