feeling of despair

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feeling of despair" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a state of deep sadness or hopelessness experienced by an individual. Example: "After receiving the news, she was overwhelmed by a feeling of despair that lingered for days."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

"It was a complete feeling of despair," she says.

The Guardian

She said the shape helped create the feeling of despair in the woman.

The New York Times

Blank sex: great, intense sex tinged with a feeling of despair for both partners.

The New Yorker

I still couldn't smile, but the feeling of despair and humiliation was at least now blurring.

The Guardian

The same feeling of despair comes pouring out of John Sayles's new movie.

The New Yorker

So when I failed my exams I had this feeling of despair – until I discovered I was good at endurance.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Others spoke of feelings of despair at the state of the environment.

The Guardian - Books

During that wait she has battled with her feelings of despair and studied for GCSEs.

The Guardian

The wounds healed but the feelings of despair and worthlessness have stayed with me.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Feelings of despair and frustration have reached a dangerously high level".

The New York Times

Mr. Gunn says he still remembers clearly the feelings of "despair and anguish" he experienced as a teenager.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an emotional state, use "feeling of despair" to convey a sense of profound hopelessness and sadness. This phrase is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "feeling of despair" is a powerful phrase, avoid using it excessively in your writing. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make your writing seem melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feeling of despair" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a subjective emotional state. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples illustrating its use in various sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

The Guardian - Books

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "feeling of despair" effectively communicates a deep sense of hopelessness and sadness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal communications. While the phrase is powerful, it's important to use it judiciously to maintain its impact. Related phrases, such as "sense of hopelessness" or "state of anguish", offer alternative ways to express similar sentiments. According to Ludwig, this is a common expression with neutral formality, making it suitable for a broad range of writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sense of hopelessness

Focuses on the absence of hope, a key component of despair.

emotion of hopelessness

Highlights the sentiment of lacking any positive expectation.

wave of despondency

Implies a sudden and overwhelming feeling of sadness and loss of spirit.

state of anguish

Highlights the severe mental or physical suffering.

depths of depression

Refers to the most severe phase of depressive mood.

abyss of misery

Emphasizes the profound unhappiness and suffering.

darkness of desolation

Focuses on the feeling of being alone and empty.

pit of discouragement

Highlights the loss of confidence or enthusiasm.

realm of dejection

Emphasizes a state of low spirits and sadness.

mire of despondency

Implies being stuck in a state of low spirits and hopelessness.

FAQs

How to use "feeling of despair" in a sentence?

You can use "feeling of despair" to describe a state of profound hopelessness. For example: "After losing her job, she was overcome by a "feeling of despair"."

What can I say instead of "feeling of despair"?

You can use alternatives like "sense of hopelessness", "state of anguish", or "depths of depression" depending on the specific context.

Is "feeling of despair" a formal or informal expression?

"Feeling of despair" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the overall tone and style of your writing. It is generally considered a neutral expression.

What's the difference between "feeling of despair" and "feeling of sadness"?

"Feeling of despair" implies a deeper and more profound sense of hopelessness than a general "feeling of sadness". Despair suggests a loss of hope and a sense of being overwhelmed.