despondency with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "despondency with" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when expressing a feeling of hopelessness or dejection in relation to something specific. Example: "She felt a deep despondency with the state of the world and its challenges."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

That has led to great despondency, with many people rightly concerned about their futures.

The Guardian

One can only imagine the despondency with which Australia's accomplished UN ambassador, Gary Quinlan, read into the record a three-paragraph "explanation" of Australia's position.

The Guardian - Opinion

The children of his first family remembered a sweet and cheerful man reduced todepression and despondency with the continuous downward spiral of his life.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

This knowledge, however, fills me not with despondency, but with joy.' " She read on to the end of the passage: " 'We shall live only in the present, in the here and now and create works for the present age alone.' "I relate that to how I feel about jazz music," she said.

The New Yorker

Accurate expectations may also help avoid despondency associated with falling short of unrealistic expectations or a lack of motivation associated with underestimating the potential for improvement in health-related quality of life.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

In the study by Sofield & Salmond [ 37] nurse self-doubt stemming from hostile behaviours led to avoidance which was characterised by despondency and complacency, with nurses unable to problem solve or follow through with care resulting in errors or near misses.

BMC Nursing

The Spaniard, whose withdrawal was met with despondency and an angry reaction when he reached the dugout, has been linked with a January transfer after falling down the pecking order and Mourinho did little to quell such talk by saying "the club's door is open".

The Guardian - Sport

The volte-face was greeted with despondency and dismay by international campaigners.

The Guardian - Arts

And Mr. Snook's vocal freshness, tempered with despondency, fully captured Younger Thompson's anguish.

The New York Times - Arts

Recent rebuilding around St Paul's Cathedral, whose silhouette is the enduring symbol of London, fills me with despondency.

The Guardian - Arts

The feeling was fed by the media and by professional doomsayers.Yet in the months before last September's election, people started to get fed up with despondency and started buying books that made them feel better about themselves.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common alternatives like "despair over" or "discontent with" to ensure clarity and avoid sounding awkward.

Common error

Avoid using "despondency with" in formal writing, as it may sound unnatural. Opt for more conventional expressions to convey your intended meaning clearly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despondency with" functions as a noun phrase followed by a preposition, indicating a state of sadness or hopelessness connected to a specific cause or object. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrasing may sound awkward, although present in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66.66%

Science

33.33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "despondency with" is used to express a feeling of sadness or hopelessness related to something specific. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI points out that it's not a commonly used phrase, and alternatives like "despair over" or "discontent with" may be clearer and more natural. It appears most often in News & Media and Science contexts. While the source quality is generally high, its infrequent usage suggests caution in formal writing. When in doubt, consider rewording for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

despair over

Focuses on a loss of hope regarding something specific, similar to the dejection implied by "despondency with".

discontent with

Highlights dissatisfaction and unhappiness towards something, shifting from sadness to displeasure.

dejected by

Emphasizes the lowering of spirits caused by a particular factor, concentrating on the causal relationship.

disheartened by

Conveys a loss of enthusiasm and motivation due to something, changing the focus to dampened spirits.

dissatisfaction with

Shifts the focus to a lack of contentment or fulfillment, suggesting a more active sense of displeasure.

resignation to

Implies acceptance of an unpleasant situation, differing in its suggestion of passive endurance rather than active unhappiness.

pessimism about

Highlights a negative outlook or expectation regarding something, focusing on the anticipation of unfavorable outcomes.

melancholy regarding

Emphasizes a reflective sadness and pensiveness, focusing on a more gentle and contemplative form of unhappiness.

gloom over

Conveys a sense of darkness and foreboding related to a specific topic, creating a more dramatic and ominous tone.

sorrow concerning

Highlights a deep sadness or grief, changing the focus to a stronger and more emotional response.

FAQs

What does "despondency with" mean?

Despondency refers to a state of low spirits and loss of hope. "Despondency with" suggests experiencing this state in relation to something specific.

Is "despondency with" grammatically correct?

While not incorrect, "despondency with" is less common. Alternatives like "despair over" or "discontent with" might be preferred for clarity.

How can I use "despondency with" in a sentence?

You could say, "One can only imagine the despondency with which Australia's accomplished UN ambassador read into the record a three-paragraph 'explanation' of Australia's position."

What are some alternatives to "despondency with"?

Consider using phrases like "disheartened by", "dissatisfaction with", or "pessimism about" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.