feeling of despondency

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feeling of despondency" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a state of low spirits or a sense of hopelessness. Example: "After receiving the disappointing news, she was overwhelmed by a feeling of despondency that lingered for days."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In fact, the handful of new songs they play today indicate a band not so much on their toes as perfectly relaxed with where they are, although when Will says that "it's nice to go back to using actual instruments and not rely on screechy synthetic sounds", a feeling of despondency and aimlessness washes over me.

The Guardian - Music

The first episode of Charlie Booker's nightmarish series will grab you by the bollocks and keep you there, provided you can keep up with the show's heavy-handedness and ever-intensifying feeling of despondency.

Vice

(KI 7, human resource researcher, Western Cape) The provincial health departments responsible for the implementation of nursing education in the public sector were also criticised for exacerbating fragmentation and contributing to a feeling of despondency among nurses: The political people [in the provinces] don't talk to one another about health because they own the colleges.

Global Health Action

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"Hallelujah," which was released by Cohen in 1984, has been covered so relentlessly that it now feels like a shortcut for conjuring feelings of despondency.

The New Yorker

So it is with feelings of despondency and deep sorrow - they too will pass.

Huffington Post

I am familiar with feelings of despondency and isolation that can follow me into the most crowded of rooms.

Huffington Post

Concerts were held on Saturdays, and anniversaries celebrated, but there were growing feelings of despondency as time passed with no sign of the ship.

Wikipedia

And so it was with these mixed feelings of despondency and guilt-ridden nostalgia that me and my girl waited for Carey to take the stage.

Vice

With such an atmosphere of uneasiness, a zeitgeist of misgiving and mistrust, where those values we learned to hold dear are being challenged on so many different fronts, it is easy to loose hope, to experience feelings of despondency.

Huffington Post

Vega, being three times as remote as Sirius, merely gives them a feeling of cosmic despondency.

The New Yorker

However, two senior backbenchers have told the BBC there is a feeling of "complete despondency" about the party's election performance.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feeling of despondency" to effectively convey a deep sense of hopelessness and discouragement that significantly impacts one's emotional state. Ensure the context aligns with this profound sense of negativity.

Common error

Avoid using "feeling of despondency" to describe temporary sadness or disappointment. This phrase indicates a more profound and persistent state of hopelessness, not a fleeting emotion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feeling of despondency" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state of mind or emotional condition. Ludwig examples show it used to indicate a pervasive sense of hopelessness or deep discouragement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feeling of despondency" effectively describes a state of deep discouragement and hopelessness, a usage supported by real-world examples. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. While not exceptionally common, it accurately conveys a profound sense of negativity. Consider alternatives like "sense of despair" or "state of hopelessness" depending on the nuance you aim to express. Remember to reserve this phrase for situations involving genuine and significant discouragement, avoiding its use for transient sadness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sense of hopelessness

Emphasizes the lack of positive expectations for the future, a core component of despondency.

state of despair

Indicates a complete loss of hope, often associated with intense sadness and discouragement.

wave of discouragement

Highlights a sudden onset of feeling disheartened and lacking motivation.

mood of dejection

Focuses on a lower overall emotional state characterized by sadness and low spirits.

air of pessimism

Implies a general negative outlook and anticipation of unfavorable outcomes.

spirit of resignation

Suggests passive acceptance of a negative situation, often accompanied by subdued emotions.

shadow of melancholy

Emphasizes a lingering sadness or pensiveness that darkens one's mood.

sense of futility

Underlines the belief that efforts are pointless and will not lead to desired results.

pang of anguish

Conveys a sharp and sudden feeling of emotional or mental distress.

depths of gloom

Highlights the lowest point of sadness and negativity, suggesting a severe state of despondency.

FAQs

How can I use "feeling of despondency" in a sentence?

You can use "feeling of despondency" to describe a state of deep discouragement and hopelessness. For example: "After the project failed, a "feeling of despondency" washed over the team."

What's the difference between "feeling of despondency" and "sense of hopelessness"?

While both phrases indicate a negative emotional state, "feeling of despondency" emphasizes the emotional experience of discouragement, while "sense of hopelessness" focuses on the lack of positive expectations for the future.

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

You can use alternatives like "sense of despair", "mood of dejection", or "state of hopelessness" depending on the context.

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

"Feeling of despondency" is a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The formality depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the writing.