as despairing as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as despairing as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to make a comparison that emphasizes the level of despair someone feels, often in a simile format. Example: "She felt as despairing as a ship lost at sea, with no hope of rescue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

But as despairing as it is, "Traffic" is not cynical.

The New York Times

By the end of his narrative, Woodward (inset) sounds as despairing as any Standard & Poor's analyst about the odds that America's entrenched politicians can tame its finances.

The New York Times - Books

Yet for a leader to hold such principles while seeming uninterested and unable to gain power feels as despairing as a candidate who holds no principles at all.

The Guardian - Opinion

(The jailer who fears and must keep constant watch upon his prisoner becomes a prisoner too -- certainly not nearly as despairing as the one behind bars, but a prisoner nevertheless).

Huffington Post

Tower's dialogue is as crisp and contemporary and offbeat as Lorrie Moore's and his vision of Ameri­ca as despairing as Joy Williams's (to cite just two of our greatest short story writers).

The New York Times - Books

As despairing as we may be, we cannot listen to this Ninth Symphony without emerging from it changed, enriched, encouraged.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

I can't remember the last time I wrote a story which could be described as despairing," he said.

The New York Times - Books

It is probably not as anguished or despairing as you think: It is, after all, impossible not to smile at the photograph of an infant Robert in his party hat and diapers.

The New York Times

But despite these and other parallels between the two novels — the repercussions of war and suicide, the consequences of a sister's sexual awakening, the destruction of linear chronology, perhaps even of time itself — "Lark and Termite" isn't as bleak and despairing as Faulkner's novel.

The New York Times - Books

But, on Thursday night, Stewart sounded tired and despairing, as if coming to terms with the fact that the nation's most poisonous problems would outlast his ability to mock or rage against them.

The New Yorker

But largely overlooked is the collateral damage to urban young professionals, especially men, who increasingly find themselves lovelorn and despairing as a growing number of women hold out for a mate with a deed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "as despairing as" to underscore the depth of hopelessness in a character's situation, enhancing the narrative's emotional intensity.

Common error

Avoid using "as despairing as" in situations where the level of despair is not genuinely significant; this can diminish the phrase's impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as despairing as" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to intensify the description of a noun by drawing a comparison to something that embodies despair, enhancing the emotional impact. The examples in Ludwig, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, demonstrate its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as despairing as" is a grammatically correct and usable comparative phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, employed to express a deep sense of hopelessness. While not overly common, it appears across reputable news sources and formal writing. To enhance your writing, use this phrase when a strong emotional comparison is needed, but avoid overuse in trivial situations. Consider alternatives like ""as hopeless as"" or ""as despondent as"" for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as hopeless as

Replaces "despairing" with "hopeless", focusing on the lack of positive outlook.

as despondent as

Substitutes "despairing" with "despondent", emphasizing a state of low spirits.

as bleak as

Uses "bleak" instead of "despairing", highlighting the grim or depressing nature of the situation.

as forlorn as

Replaces "despairing" with "forlorn", focusing on sadness and loneliness.

as crestfallen as

Substitutes "despairing" with "crestfallen", suggesting disappointment and dejection.

as discouraged as

Uses "discouraged" instead of "despairing", emphasizing a loss of confidence or enthusiasm.

as pessimistic as

Replaces "despairing" with "pessimistic", highlighting a negative outlook on the future.

as distraught as

Substitutes "despairing" with "distraught", emphasizing extreme anxiety and agitation.

as dejected as

Uses "dejected" instead of "despairing", highlighting a feeling of sadness due to failure or loss.

as disconsolate as

Replaces "despairing" with "disconsolate", focusing on inconsolable grief or sadness.

FAQs

How can I use "as despairing as" in a sentence?

You can use "as despairing as" to compare someone's feelings to a situation or emotion that evokes intense hopelessness. For example, "He felt "as despairing as" a prisoner awaiting execution".

What are some alternatives to "as despairing as"?

Some alternatives include "as hopeless as", "as despondent as", or "as bleak as depending on the specific nuance you want to convey".

Which is more impactful, "as despairing as" or "very sad"?

"As despairing as" generally carries more emotional weight and intensity than "very sad". It suggests a profound sense of hopelessness, while "very sad" is a more general expression of sorrow.

What's the difference between "as despairing as" and "as depressed as"?

"As despairing as" emphasizes a loss of hope and a sense of utter hopelessness, while "as depressed as" indicates a medical or emotional condition characterized by persistent sadness and a lack of interest in activities. While related, they highlight different aspects of emotional distress.