cloud of despair

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cloud of despair" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling of overwhelming sadness or hopelessness that seems to envelop a person or situation. Example: "After hearing the news, a cloud of despair settled over the entire community, leaving everyone feeling lost and hopeless."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

He stopped shaving and cutting his hair, and sat around the house in a cloud of despair.

The New York Times - Health

Tuesday, though, the cloud of despair was lifted — at least for one day — to reveal, perhaps, a hint of that future.

The New York Times

With Jason Kreis's future continuing to be a looming cloud of despair, one would be excused for thinking the future of the club was hanging in the balance.

The Guardian - Sport

A 1911 history of black New Orleans leaders misspells the painter's name but calls him its "Titian in Louisiana," who endured vicious criticism that "cast a cloud of despair over his whole life".

The New York Times - Arts

If you start to feel that familiar cloud of despair and hopelessness creeping in, you can try to anticipate your mood in the morning by preparing for the unknown the evening before.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

However, they did so as clouds of despair gathered around the club.

The Guardian - Sport

Well, imagine that you are sitting on the floor, surrounded by clouds of despair and mountains of Styrofoam packing popcorn.

The Guardian

And Juliet --her angel-face and sylphlike form gleamed among the clouds of my despair with vain beauty; for I had lost her--the glory and flower of the world!

Columbia University

As a twig-armed, four-eyed, socially awkward preteen boy growing up in a late-80s suburban household, over which hung the threatening storm clouds of divorce, despair, and alienation, playing video games seemed like the most beautiful and natural thing in the world.

Vice

As a twig-armed, four-eyed, socially awkward preteen boy growing up in a late-80s suburban household, over which hung the threatening storm clouds of divorce, despair and alienation, playing video games seemed like the most beautiful and natural thing in the world.

Vice

The somber crowd held candles as Pastor Bill Farr of Praise Chapel Community Church ended the vigil, saying that the house represented a "black cloud of darkness and despair" but that the memorial would honor the victims and make it a place of peace, love and healing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cloud of despair" to vividly portray a pervasive and overwhelming feeling of sadness or hopelessness affecting an individual, a group, or a situation. The metaphor is particularly effective when describing the aftermath of tragic events or significant disappointments.

Common error

Avoid using too many metaphors in a single piece of writing, as it can make your work seem overly dramatic or insincere. If you've already used one or two strong images to convey sadness, consider using more direct language to maintain clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cloud of despair" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject or object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's used to describe an overwhelming feeling of sadness or hopelessness. For example, "He sat around the house in a "cloud of despair"."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cloud of despair" is a grammatically sound and evocative noun phrase used to describe an overwhelming feeling of sadness and hopelessness. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable and correct in written English, often appearing in News & Media and academic contexts. While synonyms like "wave of despondency" or "air of hopelessness" exist, "cloud of despair" effectively conveys a sense of pervasive gloom. When employing this phrase, consider its metaphorical nature and use it judiciously to enhance, rather than detract from, your overall message. The frequent occurrence in news and media showcases its role in depicting dire emotional or societal states, while also remaining appropriate in formal writing and literature. Despite being correct the expression is not very common.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wave of despondency

Replaces "cloud" with "wave" emphasizing a more overwhelming and encompassing feeling of sadness.

air of hopelessness

Substitutes "cloud" with "air", focusing on the surrounding atmosphere of despair.

blanket of sorrow

Uses "blanket" instead of "cloud", suggesting a sense of being covered or suffocated by sadness.

depths of despondency

Shifts the image from a cloud to the idea of being in the deepest part of despair, intensifying the feeling.

shadow of grief

Employs "shadow" in place of "cloud", highlighting the obscuring and darkening effect of despair.

atmosphere of dejection

Replaces "cloud" with "atmosphere", indicating a pervasive feeling of sadness in the environment.

state of utter hopelessness

Uses "state" to denote a condition or situation characterized by a complete absence of hope.

sense of profound despair

Emphasizes the intensity of despair by using "profound" to describe the feeling.

feeling of complete desolation

Highlights the isolation and emptiness associated with despair through the term "desolation".

abyss of anguish

Conveys a sense of deep suffering and emotional pain through the metaphor of an "abyss".

FAQs

How can I use "cloud of despair" in a sentence?

You can use "cloud of despair" to describe a situation or feeling characterized by overwhelming sadness and hopelessness. For example, "After the factory closed, a "cloud of despair" settled over the town."

What are some synonyms for "cloud of despair"?

Alternatives to "cloud of despair" include "wave of despondency", "air of hopelessness", or "blanket of sorrow", each offering a slightly different nuance in describing profound sadness.

Is "cloud of despair" a formal or informal expression?

"Cloud of despair" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's more common in literary or descriptive writing. In highly formal or scientific contexts, more direct language might be preferred.

What's the difference between "cloud of despair" and "shadow of despair"?

While both convey negative emotions, "cloud of despair" suggests a more pervasive and enveloping feeling, whereas "shadow of grief" implies something that darkens or obscures, hinting at a lingering presence of sorrow.