feeling despondent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feeling despondent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a state of sadness or hopelessness. Example: "After hearing the disappointing news, I found myself feeling despondent for days."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

I require things to do all the time in the city or I start feeling despondent.

The New York Times

Is feeling despondent about it when friend she… Mechanical engineer, inventor of numerous devices for the modern boxing ring.

The New Yorker

Is feeling despondent about it when friend she met in speakeasy night before comes to see her, and invites her to go to AtlanticCity with her.

The New Yorker

She started a bizarre, slurred argument with the waitress who had – fairly – given our table away, and I cut out of there, feeling despondent and very, very sober.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

McIlroy said he usually took the week off after a major, but he especially needed the break this year after feeling "despondent" about missing the cut at the British Open.

The New York Times - Sports

Created after Ms. Velez-Jackson fractured a toe and was feeling despondent, the solo is a pointed look at failure and success, using the reality television format as a funnel and topping it off with a ballad.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

They make me feel despondent and tired.

Huffington Post

So, why am I feeling so despondent, and why do so many other progressives, like Noam Scheiber, feel the same?

The New York Times

We drove back into Poland, feeling utterly despondent.

The Guardian - Travel

Despite the gravity of their plight, it is the banal routine of daily life that leaves Jane feeling most despondent.

Independent

I remember the night we got the orders, "No further shooting, no further movement," feeling oddly despondent.' Singer Dame Vera Lynn, 88, will always be known as 'The Forces SweetheartThe Forces Sweetheart

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "feeling despondent", ensure the context clearly indicates the cause of the despondency to provide a more complete understanding of the emotional state.

Common error

While "feeling despondent" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or dramatic in everyday conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "feeling down" or "feeling sad" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feeling despondent" functions as a descriptive phrase, where "feeling" acts as a verb taking "despondent" as its complement. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and used to express a state of sadness or hopelessness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feeling despondent" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a state of sadness or hopelessness. According to Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable phrase. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, the expression serves to convey negative emotions with some level of formality. While simpler alternatives exist for casual conversation, "feeling despondent" remains a precise and effective way to articulate a particular emotional state in appropriate settings. Its authoritative sources and consistent usage affirm its reliability in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling disheartened

Implies a loss of enthusiasm or hope, often due to a specific disappointment.

feeling dejected

Suggests a state of low spirits or depression, often after a setback.

feeling discouraged

Indicates a loss of confidence or motivation, making it difficult to persevere.

feeling downcast

Conveys a sense of sadness or gloominess, often temporary.

feeling hopeless

Expresses a lack of belief in a positive future outcome.

feeling melancholy

Describes a pensive sadness, often with a nostalgic element.

feeling pessimistic

Highlights a tendency to expect negative outcomes.

feeling blue

An informal way to describe feeling sad or depressed.

feeling low

A simple and direct way to express feeling unhappy or depressed.

in despair

Implies a complete loss of hope and a sense of utter hopelessness.

FAQs

How to use "feeling despondent" in a sentence?

You can use "feeling despondent" to describe a state of sadness or hopelessness. For example: "After the project failed, he was "feeling despondent" for days."

What can I say instead of "feeling despondent"?

You can use alternatives like "feeling disheartened", "feeling dejected", or "feeling discouraged" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "feeling despondent" or "feeling despondently"?

"Feeling despondent" is correct. "Despondent" is an adjective describing the feeling. "Despondently" is an adverb and would describe how someone is doing something, not how they are feeling.

What's the difference between "feeling despondent" and "feeling depressed"?

"Feeling despondent" implies a temporary state of sadness or hopelessness, often triggered by a specific event. "Feeling depressed", while sometimes used interchangeably, can suggest a more prolonged and potentially clinical condition.