cry of despair

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cry of despair" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an expression of deep sadness or hopelessness, often in a dramatic or emotional context. Example: "As she stood alone in the empty room, her heart heavy with grief, she let out a cry of despair that echoed through the silence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Only when she is gone does Onegin issue his final cry of despair.

The New York Times - Arts

But then by producing this cry of despair he may have begun to redress the balance.

The New York Times - Books

No wonder they've called it the WAA – it sounds like a cry of despair, doesn't it?

The Guardian - Arts

There is clearly some force in this argument but it amounts to a cry of despair.

The Guardian - Business

I fear that a proclamation on the heels of a defeat would be interpreted as a cry of despair.

The New York Times

Even the nightmare of Orwell's "Nineteen Eighty-four" is a call to action, not a cry of despair.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

The cries of despair began to turn toward insults.

The New Yorker

But those self-lacerating cries of despair ("I'm standing on a rooftop ready to fall")?

The New York Times - Arts

As the crisis comes to a head, she emits cries of despair which wrench the soul.

The Guardian

Always a stern self-critic, Hawthorne scribbled such cries of despair as "All this amounts to just nothing.

The New Yorker

The scenes are accompanied by eerie audio with cries of despair, explosions and activists' commentary about the scenes before them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing the phrase "cry of despair", consider the audience and the tone of your writing. It's most effective when used in dramatic or emotionally charged narratives.

Common error

Avoid using "cry of despair" in situations that don't warrant such a strong emotional expression. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cry of despair" functions primarily as a noun phrase. Ludwig shows it often acts as a subject complement or direct object, describing an audible or expressive manifestation of extreme hopelessness or sadness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Arts

15%

Books

12%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cry of despair" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to depict intense hopelessness and sadness. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage across various authoritative sources, primarily in news, arts, and literature. While common, its intensity makes it more suitable for formal contexts. Remember to wield this phrase judiciously, reserving it for situations that genuinely warrant such profound emotional expression to maintain its impact and avoid melodrama.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outburst of anguish

Replaces "cry" with "outburst", emphasizing a sudden release of intense emotion.

expression of hopelessness

Substitutes "cry" with "expression", focusing on the communication of a lack of hope.

lament of desperation

Uses "lament" instead of "cry", suggesting a more mournful and prolonged expression of despair.

wail of sorrow

Replaces "despair" with "sorrow", focusing on the feeling of grief and sadness.

shriek of agony

Emphasizes the intensity of the pain and suffering through the use of "shriek" and "agony".

moan of anguish

Replaces "cry" with "moan", indicating a subdued expression of suffering.

sob of desolation

Focuses on the feeling of being alone and abandoned through the word "desolation".

keen of grief

Uses "keen" to express a sharp and intense sorrow, common in mourning.

dirge of hopelessness

Implies a mournful song or lament expressing a complete lack of hope.

groan of misery

Conveys a deep and prolonged suffering through the word "misery".

FAQs

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

You can use "cry of despair" to describe a moment of intense hopelessness or sadness, for example: "Upon hearing the news, she let out a "cry of despair"".

What can I say instead of "cry of despair"?

You can use alternatives like "outburst of anguish", "expression of hopelessness", or "lament of desperation" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "cry of despair" or "cries of despair"?

"Cry of despair" refers to a singular instance, while "cries of despair" refers to multiple instances or a general atmosphere of despair. Choose based on whether you're describing one event or a recurring situation.

What's the difference between "cry of despair" and "cry of agony"?

While both express intense suffering, "cry of despair" emphasizes hopelessness, whereas "cry of agony" focuses on intense pain. The choice depends on whether the situation is primarily about loss of hope or physical/emotional pain.