deep despair

USAGE SUMMARY

"deep despair" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want a phrase that conveys a very intense emotion of sadness and hopelessness. Example: When the final results were announced, a deep despair settled over the room.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Deep despair.

The Guardian - Sport

A straggling few got up to go in deep despair.

The New York Times

Cue, high dudgeon and deep despair among Britons in Paris.

Independent

In deep despair, she climbs to the mountaintop to die.

The New York Times

"I think they're very closely related, deep despair and laughing.

The Guardian

Then anger, then deep despair, then numbness and repeat.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This soft-centred elegiac tone is tempered by occasional deep despair and Byronic revolt.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His usual manner is one of ambassadorial urbanity, but it is occasionally punctuated by deep despair.

The New Yorker

By the time they got there, their opponents had become victims of a deep despair.

The Guardian - Sport

It took eight years and my publishers were in deep despair.

The Guardian - Books

It was simply based on man, arms outstretched downwards, in deep despair.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deep despair" to describe situations where the feeling of hopelessness is not just present, but profound and overwhelming. It effectively conveys a sense of being trapped in sadness with no apparent escape.

Common error

Avoid using "deep despair" in everyday situations where a milder term like "sadness" or "disappointment" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deep despair" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. Ludwig AI indicates its common usage in describing intense feelings of sadness and hopelessness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "deep despair" is a common and effective way to describe a profound sense of hopelessness and sadness. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. While grammatically straightforward, it's important to use the phrase judiciously, reserving it for situations where the intensity of the emotion warrants such a strong expression. Alternatives like "profound grief" or "utter hopelessness" can offer subtle variations in meaning. Remember that overuse can dilute the impact of "deep despair", so choose your words carefully to convey the intended emotional weight.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utter hopelessness

Highlights the lack of hope as the primary component of the feeling.

bleak despondency

Emphasizes the gloomy and spiritless state of mind.

profound grief

Focuses more on the sorrow and mourning aspect, rather than the hopelessness.

heartrending grief

Focuses on grief that causes intense sorrow or distress.

profound sorrow

Stresses the depth and seriousness of the sadness.

intense anguish

Conveys a more acute and agonizing form of suffering.

abject misery

Emphasizes the state of suffering and wretchedness.

bottomless pit of sorrow

Highlights the unending and overwhelming nature of the sadness.

complete devastation

Highlights the sense of being utterly ruined or destroyed emotionally.

crushing disappointment

Focuses on the severe letdown and disillusionment experienced.

FAQs

How can I use "deep despair" in a sentence?

You can use "deep despair" to describe a state of profound hopelessness and sadness. For example, "After losing everything, he sank into "deep despair"".

What are some alternatives to "deep despair"?

Alternatives include "profound grief", "utter hopelessness", or "abject misery". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "deep despair" or "deep depression"?

"Deep despair" refers specifically to a profound sense of hopelessness and sadness, while "deep depression" describes a clinical mental health condition. The appropriate phrase depends on the context. If you suspect a medical condition, use "deep depression".

What distinguishes "deep despair" from simple sadness?

"Deep despair" implies a level of intensity and hopelessness that goes beyond ordinary sadness. It suggests a prolonged and overwhelming emotional state with little to no hope of improvement, while sadness can be transient.