despondent state

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "despondent state" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a condition of deep sadness or hopelessness. Example: "After receiving the disappointing news, she fell into a despondent state that lasted for weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Li is despondent about the state of medicine in China.

The New Yorker

He even published two poems he said were written by a "mysterious dark lady" despondent over the state of the Republican field.

The New York Times

But some speculated that the drinking that killed him wasn't just habitual but targeted; that is, despondent over the state of his career, he deliberately drank himself into a stupor, laid out too long in the sun and willed himself to die.

The New York Times

This play sent me home through the dark, rainy streets of Glasgow feeling utterly hopeless and despondent at the state of things, but with enough of a defiant spark (and one that grew the more I thought back on the play) that the next day I felt like we could be the audience to change the world.

The Guardian

In Detroit, Adam grows despondent about the stale state of human culture.

The Guardian - Film

When a relief party finally reached him on 11 August, he was in a poor state, weak and despondent.

BBC

It was up to this pair to decide when Ngendakumana could come and go and who could see him, a responsibility they were bearing with the despondent sadism common to police states.

The New Yorker

(Earlier in the campaign, the head of the state Republican Party was so despondent about the party's chances that he tried to recruit a Democrat to switch parties and run against Mr. Cuomo on the Republican ticket).

The New York Times

"It's pretty despondent everywhere," said Dwyfor Evans, a strategist at State Street Global Markets in Hong Kong.

The New York Times

Cooter recruits Shane (LaMarcus Tinker) for Ohio State, but not Finn, who is despondent about his future.

Wikipedia

Ms. Pettway also provided insight into her state of mind, explaining that she was despondent after having had several miscarriages, according to the complaint.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "despondent state" when you want to convey a sense of profound hopelessness and sadness, particularly in response to a specific situation or event. It suggests a more persistent and pervasive feeling than simply being sad.

Common error

Avoid using "despondent state" in casual conversation or informal writing. The phrase carries a weight and formality that may sound unnatural in everyday contexts. Opt for simpler expressions like "feeling down" or "sad" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despondent state" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "despondent" modifies the noun "state". It describes a condition or situation characterized by deep sadness and hopelessness. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is deemed correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "despondent state" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, albeit relatively uncommon. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It describes a state of profound sadness and hopelessness and is most often found in news and media contexts. While not overly formal, it is best reserved for situations where a serious and considered tone is appropriate. Alternatives like "depressed condition" or "melancholy situation" may be more suitable depending on the desired nuance. Using it effectively involves understanding its formality and weight, avoiding overuse in casual contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depressed condition

Replaces "despondent" with "depressed", focusing on a medical or psychological aspect.

melancholy situation

Substitutes "despondent" with "melancholy" and "state" with "situation", softening the tone.

hopeless plight

Replaces "despondent" with "hopeless" and "state" with "plight", emphasizing a dire circumstance.

dejected mood

Changes "despondent" to "dejected" and "state" to "mood", focusing on emotional atmosphere.

pessimistic outlook

Replaces "despondent" with "pessimistic" and "state" with "outlook", highlighting a negative perspective.

dismal circumstances

Substitutes "despondent" with "dismal" and "state" with "circumstances", emphasizing unfavorable conditions.

gloomy atmosphere

Changes "despondent" to "gloomy" and "state" to "atmosphere", focusing on the surrounding environment.

downcast disposition

Replaces "despondent" with "downcast" and "state" with "disposition", highlighting an individual's temperament.

low spirits

A more casual and common way to express a similar sentiment.

sad predicament

Replaces "despondent" with "sad" and "state" with "predicament", emphasizing a difficult situation.

FAQs

How can I use "despondent state" in a sentence?

You can use "despondent state" to describe someone's emotional condition after a significant disappointment. For example, "After losing the election, he fell into a "despondent state"".

What phrases are similar to "despondent state"?

Similar phrases include "depressed condition", "melancholy situation", or "hopeless plight". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "despondent state" formal or informal?

"Despondent state" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for academic writing, news reports, or serious discussions. Less formal alternatives may be more appropriate in casual conversation.

What's the difference between "despondent state" and "sad mood"?

"Despondent state" suggests a deeper and more prolonged sense of hopelessness than "sad mood". A "sad mood" might be temporary, while a "despondent state" implies a more persistent condition.