doomed

USAGE SUMMARY

'doomed' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is most commonly used to describe something that is certain to end in disaster or failure, or to imply that a person or a thing is in danger of suffering a serious, unfortunate fate. Example sentence: Without intervention, the village is doomed to poverty and despair.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In his opinion, the ongoing talks are doomed to fail because Iran will never put up with the US.

The Guardian

Of all the senators who attempted Wednesday to rally support for the doomed Manchin-Toomey background check amendment, Connecticut's Democratic freshman representative, Chris Murphy, probably faced the greatest temptation to borrow the moral authority of the Newtown families.

The Guardian - Opinion

He complained about it earlier, the rocky state of commercial music, the sense of being on a doomed ship.

The Guardian - Music

Realistically, there is no physical or mental difference between George Osborne and a three-year-old, and this is why we're doomed.

The Guardian

And another example of the perils of futurology is that the television conferences I attended at the turn of the Millennium all declared with unstoppable confidence that the idea of TV as a shared, communal experience was doomed, as technology permitted viewers to choose what and when they watched.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Importantly, that's not to say that we're all doomed.

The Guardian

Perhaps, however, the reality is that people farming is like investing in the Titanic: a good idea in theory, glossy and wonderful to look at upon completion, but doomed when it comes to reality of actually functioning effectively.

The Guardian - Opinion

You can tell by the way they stare into the middle distance over a cup of cooling tea, doomed to replay the scene endlessly in their minds, thinking up the witty asides that would have won over the director.

The Guardian

Not one but two doomed love affairs set towards the end of the second world war.

The Guardian

Ukip looks doomed to go on being the party of the outsider, unwilling or unable to make the transition to finding an effective way of representing the people whose support it claims.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sannikov says he is convinced Lukashenko's regime is "doomed".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "doomed", ensure the context clearly indicates what is facing inevitable failure or destruction. Providing specific details enhances the impact and clarity of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "doomed" lightly in situations where the outcome is uncertain or only mildly negative. Overusing it dilutes its impact and can make your writing seem melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The word "doomed" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a state of being certain to suffer an undesirable fate. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to express a grim outlook or inevitable negative outcome. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in contexts ranging from political talks to personal relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Opinion

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Music

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "doomed" is a versatile adjective used to describe something that is certain to face failure, destruction, or a similarly undesirable fate. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts. It appears most commonly in news and media, expressing opinions, and within scientific discussions. While its register is generally neutral, care should be taken to avoid overuse in hyperbolic statements. Consider using alternatives such as "ill-fated" or "destined for failure" to add nuance to your writing. With 57 real-world examples, Ludwig provides extensive insights into the effective use of "doomed".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ill-fated

Emphasizes a negative destiny or predetermination.

destined for failure

Highlights the certainty of an unsuccessful outcome.

sure to fail

Focuses on the high probability of failure.

fated to collapse

Implies an unavoidable breakdown or disintegration.

certain to fall

Highlights the lack of any hope in averting negative events.

headed for disaster

Suggests a trajectory towards a calamitous event.

on a collision course with ruin

Emphasizes a confrontational and destructive path.

in dire straits

Focuses on current difficult circumstances with little hope for improvement.

on the brink of collapse

Highlights proximity to a breaking point.

marked for destruction

Suggests a planned or inevitable obliteration.

FAQs

How to use "doomed" in a sentence?

Use "doomed" to describe something with a grim or inevitable fate. For example, "The ship was "doomed" from the start due to design flaws."

What can I say instead of "doomed"?

You can use alternatives like "ill-fated", "destined for failure", or "sure to fail" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the project is doomed to fail"?

Yes, "the project is "doomed to fail"" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a very high likelihood of failure.

What's the difference between "doomed" and "condemned"?

"Doomed" suggests an inevitable negative outcome, while "condemned" often implies a judgment or sentence leading to that outcome. A building might be "doomed" due to structural issues, but it's "condemned" by authorities.