despairing eyes

USAGE SUMMARY

"despairing eyes" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when describing a person's eyes and their expression - for example "The elderly woman looked at the empty cupboard with despairing eyes".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

I don't remember anymore the details of these thoughts, only that they were distorted, swollen, blurred: broken face, broken voice, broken body left dying on the floor, watching me go with dimming, despairing eyes.

The New Yorker

Dafoe's work, the look in his searching, despairing eyes, feels beyond conventional acting, using intuition as well as technique to go deeply into the character, putting us in Van Gogh's presence.

Los Angeles Times

But it may be the bitter fuel in his despairing eyes, too.

The Guardian - Film

The painting was of the face of Jesus moments before his death, with despairing eyes upturned under the crown of thorns.

The New Yorker

Kerouac said: "Huncke appeared to us and said 'I'm beat' with radiant light shining out of his despairing eyes...a word perhaps brought from some Midwest carnival or junk cafeteria".

The Guardian - Books

Growing up in a bohemian family at the start of the 20th century, she looks on with affectionately despairing eyes as her parents dice with disgrace and financial disaster.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"I tell you from the bottom of my heart that we are making a bad film," he despairs, eyes darting feverishly around the room.

The Guardian - Film

On stage, Noble MC's like a man mired in despair: eyes downcast, voice quavering.

The Guardian

With his sneer of cold command slowly giving way to fear and despair, his eyes drowning pools of horror and sorrow, Hinds is spectacular.

Huffington Post

Heaven Eyes opens in a "despairing" children's home from which runaways escape through nightmarish docklands.

The Guardian

Or despairing.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "despairing eyes", ensure it aligns with the context. The phrase implies a deep sense of hopelessness, so the surrounding narrative should support this level of emotional intensity.

Common error

Avoid using "despairing eyes" excessively in dialogue tags (e.g., "he said with despairing eyes"). It can sound unnatural. Instead, show the character's despair through their actions or words.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despairing eyes" functions as a descriptive element, specifically an adjectival phrase modifying the noun "eyes". It adds detail by specifying the quality or emotional state reflected in someone's eyes. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "despairing eyes" is a grammatically correct and meaningful phrase used to depict a profound sense of hopelessness. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and suggests using it to vividly portray emotional states. The phrase is found in diverse contexts, including news, literature, and even scientific publications, suggesting broad applicability. While not overly formal or informal, it's best used when the context genuinely supports a feeling of deep despair. Remember that while "despairing eyes" is valid, avoid overuse and consider alternative expressions like "hopeless gaze" or "eyes filled with despair" for nuanced writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eyes filled with despair

Elaborates the phrase to explicitly state the emotion within the eyes.

eyes reflecting despair

Focuses on the eyes as a mirror reflecting the inner emotion.

eyes of hopelessness

Rephrases to emphasize the lack of hope as the defining characteristic.

hopeless gaze

Replaces "eyes" with "gaze" focusing on the act of looking rather than the physical feature.

sorrowful eyes

Replaces "despairing" with a synonym emphasizing grief and sadness.

defeated eyes

Uses a different adjective to describe the eyes, suggesting a sense of loss and surrender.

forlorn look

Shifts from the eyes themselves to the overall expression, emphasizing the sadness.

bereft eyes

Uses a more literary term to describe the eyes, implying a sense of loss and deprivation.

sad eyes

Simplifies the adjective to a more general term, losing some of the intensity.

anguished expression

Moves away from the eyes specifically to the overall facial expression, highlighting the suffering.

FAQs

How can I describe eyes that show sadness instead of using "despairing eyes"?

You can use alternatives like "sad eyes", "sorrowful eyes", or "eyes filled with sadness depending on the context".

What does it mean when someone is described as having "despairing eyes"?

It means that the person's eyes reflect a deep sense of hopelessness, anguish, and loss of hope. The phrase suggests that the person is experiencing intense emotional pain and feels unable to find a positive resolution to their situation.

Is "despairing eyes" a cliche?

While "despairing eyes" is a commonly used phrase, it isn't necessarily a cliche if used judiciously and within a context that supports its intensity. Overusing it or using it in situations where it feels out of place can make your writing sound predictable.

What are some other physical cues besides the eyes that can indicate despair?

Other physical cues that can indicate despair include slumped posture, slow movements, a flat or monotone voice, a lack of eye contact, and neglecting personal hygiene. These cues, combined with "despairing eyes", can create a powerful image of a person in distress.