How do you pronounce "desperate"?

In American English: /ˈdɛsprɪt/ (DEHSPR-it). In British English: /dˈɛspəɹət/ (D-ehsp-uhr). In Canadian English: /ˈdɛsprɪt/ (DEHSPR-it). In Australian English: /dˈɛspəɹət/ (D-ehsp-uhr).

Is "desperate" pronounced differently in American and British English?

Yes. In American English it's pronounced /ˈdɛsprɪt/ (DEHSPR-it), while in British English it's /dˈɛspəɹət/ (D-ehsp-uhr).

How to Pronounce "desperate"

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desperate

regional

/ˈdɛsprɪt/

DEHSPR-it

Syllable Breakdown

dɛsprdesper·ɪtate

Source

80%confidence📘 CMU Pronouncing Dictionary v0.7b

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Last updated: 2026-02-14