despair

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "despair" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a state of hopelessness or a feeling of deep sadness. Example: "After hearing the news, she fell into a state of despair, unable to see a way forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And where there is despair, may we bring hope".

The Economist

There is despair, Mr President, in the faces you don't see, in the places you don't visit in your shining city".

The Economist

Birdman, arguably, has a solemn dimension to it, but not really The Grand Budapest Hotel, despite being inspired by a writer (Stefan Zweig) who famously committed suicide in despair at the rise of the Nazis.

The Guardian - Film

At Westminster the loyalists look at the likes of Nadine Dorries, "Mad Nad" to her detractors, and shake their heads in despair.

The Guardian

Hope that the answer to 'why are we here' is so simple; despair that we are so unwilling to hear it.

The Guardian - Books

Perhaps, like me, you look at the party conferences and despair at the minute positioning that passes as politics.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Those words strike despair in people who have worked so hard for this.

The Guardian

Related: Despair, and a little hope, at the Queen's speech | Letters Cameron said his legislative programme would mean "wherever you live, you can have the chance of a good education, a decent job, a home of your own and the peace of mind that comes from being able to raise a family and enjoy a secure retirement".

The Guardian

The works, which he trailed on his Instagram account last night, include one piece which somewhat resembles Rodin's sculpture The Thinker, with the figure's hand gone from thoughtfully supporting his face to covering it in despair – or perhaps Niobe, the classical figure weeping for the loss of her children.

The Guardian - Arts

Like a freak storm, the eurozone crisis has swept over this land, leaving despair and destruction in its wake: almost no household has not felt the effects of wage and pension cuts (slashed by an average 40%), soaring taxes and unemployment that at 26.7% is the highest in the EU and unprecedented in Greece's post-war history.

The Guardian

Or, to quote Carlyle, one of the "brainworkers" in the picture, "In Idleness alone is there perpetual despair".

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "despair", ensure the context clearly indicates the cause or source of the hopelessness. Specifying the reason enhances the impact and clarity of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "despair" to describe everyday disappointments. Reserve it for situations involving profound loss or hopelessness to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The word "despair" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a state of utter hopelessness or loss of hope. It can also function as an intransitive verb, meaning to lose or be without hope. Ludwig provides examples of both usages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis reveals that "despair" is a very common term, functioning as both a noun and an intransitive verb to express profound hopelessness. Its usage spans various contexts, most notably News & Media, with a neutral register making it suitable for diverse forms of communication. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of "despair" in written English. When using "despair", it's crucial to ensure the context aligns with its strong emotional weight, reserving it for situations of genuine hopelessness rather than trivial disappointments. Consider "utter hopelessness" or "complete despondency" as alternatives for conveying a similar sense with potentially different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utter hopelessness

Emphasizes the complete absence of hope.

complete despondency

Focuses on the deep emotional dejection associated with despair.

loss of hope

Directly states the absence of a positive outlook.

feeling of desperation

Highlights the urgency and distress linked to despair.

state of discouragement

Suggests a more subdued form of hopelessness.

sense of futility

Indicates the belief that efforts are pointless.

deep disappointment

Implies a significant letdown leading to sadness.

crushing disillusionment

Points to the shattering of positive beliefs or ideals.

profound anguish

Highlights the deep suffering and emotional pain.

abject misery

Emphasizes the extreme and degrading nature of the unhappiness.

FAQs

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

Use "despair" to convey a profound sense of hopelessness, often resulting from loss or a dire situation. For example: "He felt a deep sense of despair after losing his job."

What are some alternatives to "despair" that I can use?

You can use alternatives like "hopelessness", "desperation", or "despondency" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say 'in despair' or 'with despair'?

The correct phrasing is typically "in despair". For example: "She was in despair after the accident."

What's the difference between "despair" and "disappointment"?

"Despair" signifies a deeper and more profound sense of hopelessness than "disappointment". Disappointment is a feeling of sadness or frustration when expectations are not met, while despair suggests a loss of hope and the feeling that things will not improve.