despair definition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "despair definition" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing the meaning or explanation of the word "despair." For example, "The despair definition can be found in most dictionaries." Alternative expressions include "definition of despair" and "meaning of despair."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Our grief and despair defy definition.

The New York Times

The idea of a generation beneath you facing a narrower world than the one you knew yourself: that's certainly one definition of despair.

The New Yorker

But Russians, especially those stuck in withering villages, seem intent on drinking themselves into nonexistence, pouring spirits down their throats so systematically, and in such reliably lethal quantities, that their behavior provides a scientific definition of despair.

The New York Times - Books

"The thing just parted like the Red Sea". Definition of despair: Long after the game had started, there was a large crowd milling about in front of Staples Center.

Los Angeles Times

As noted above (2.1), Davidson despairs of the possibility of an intuitively adequate definition of the mental.

SEP

From the infinite black space of despair emerges "a constellation of vital phenomena," an arresting definition of "life" found in an old medical textbook.

The Washington Post

The subject is the idle rich, the problem is idleness, the crisis is self-delusion in the face of fear and despair, and the basic material of the movie is the definition of identity.

The New Yorker

• Despair.

The New York Times

/ Fainting, despair.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I despair.

The New York Times

Despair, cyclists.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase as a heading or a section title in a glossary, the concise "despair definition" is appropriate and efficient.

Common error

Avoid using "despair definition" when you actually mean the subjective feeling. For instance, do not write 'He felt a deep despair definition' when 'He felt a deep sense of despair' is the intended meaning. The former refers to the explanation of the word, not the emotion itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despair definition" functions as a noun-noun compound (or noun adjunct structure). In this construction, "despair" modifies "definition" to specify what kind of definition is being discussed. While not found as an exact match in prose within Ludwig's database, its components are standard. Ludwig AI notes that it is highly frequent in search queries and informational headings.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "despair definition" is a functional noun compound that serves as a gateway to exploring one of the most profound human emotions. Ludwig's data demonstrates that while the exact two-word string is rare in narrative prose, the concept is ubiquitous in high-quality journalism and academic discourse under the guise of "definition of despair". Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and highly useful for researchers, writers and students looking to articulate the boundaries of hopelessness. Whether you are using it as a section header or seeking a deeper understanding of the term, remember that its meaning often transcends simple dictionary entries to touch upon philosophical and psychological truths.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

definition of despair

Uses the standard prepositional structure for more formal and idiomatic prose.

meaning of despair

Shifts focus from a formal dictionary boundary to the broader semantic or personal significance.

despair meaning

A more informal noun adjunct version often used in technical or search contexts.

hopelessness definition

Uses a near-synonym to define the emotional state from the perspective of a lack of hope.

nature of despair

Explores the inherent characteristics and essence of the state rather than just its lexical meaning.

define despair

Uses the verbal form, functioning as an imperative or an analytical action.

concept of despair

Treats despair as an abstract philosophical or psychological idea.

essence of despair

Focuses on the core, indispensable quality that makes a feeling despair.

clinical despair

Limits the scope to a psychological or medical context.

anatomy of despair

Suggests a detailed, structural breakdown of the feeling.

FAQs

What is the most common way to write "despair definition"?

While "despair definition" works as a title, the most idiomatic phrasing in a sentence is "definition of despair".

Can I use "meaning of despair" instead?

Yes, "meaning of despair" is a perfect alternative when you want to discuss the significance or interpretation of the emotion rather than its literal dictionary entry.

Is "despair definition" correct in academic writing?

It is grammatically correct as a compound noun, but most scholars prefer the more precise "concept of despair" or "definition of despair".

What is a synonym for the "despair" part of the phrase?

You can use "hopelessness", "misery", or "despondency" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.