Final answer:
The denotation of 'desperate' refers to a state of being marked by hopelessness, leading to extreme or risk-taking actions due to lack of alternatives.
Step-by-step explanation:
The denotation of the word desperate refers to a state of being that involves a person experiencing a sense of hopelessness or a willingness to do anything because of despair, typically because there are no other viable alternatives. Someone who is desperate might take actions that are considered extreme or risk-taking due to their circumstances. For example, a person who is desperate for money may decide to gamble their savings with the hope of winning big, despite the high possibility of losing it all.