felt like weeping

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "felt like weeping" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong emotional response, often related to sadness or overwhelming feelings. Example: "After hearing the tragic news, I felt like weeping in despair."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

I felt like weeping.

The New Yorker

I imagine Spelman felt like weeping on Haynes' shoulder with relief.

The Guardian

EH: Once we began filming, other than the second day when I felt like weeping and going home, we just stuck it out, just tried to get it done day to day, working really long hours.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But around the side, you may feel like weeping.

The New York Times

I look at my beautiful little daughter and I feel like weeping.

The Guardian

When Godwin and his parents realize that a mob of supposed hijackers is actually a neighborhood patrol saluting them, "I feel like weeping... at the way Africa does this to you".

The New York Times - Books

Feel more like weeping".

The Guardian

So the weeping felt like a natural progression in the public narrative of their romance after all, every couple has their bad days.

Vice

Clifford Moonie Pusey added Santana-like weeping guitar solos.

The New York Times - Arts

Thirty pounds felt like a hundred, climbing up each flight with a wiggling, weeping, weight.

Huffington Post

Always nice to see a Dalek and a Cyberman and a Weeping Angel, even if the mummifying versions we encounter in the cloisters felt like a box ticked.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "felt like weeping" to convey a strong emotional response, often related to sadness, disappointment, or overwhelming feelings. Ensure the context supports the intensity of the emotion expressed.

Common error

Avoid using "felt like weeping" in situations that evoke only mild disappointment or sadness. This phrase is best reserved for moments of significant emotional impact. Consider alternatives like "felt a bit sad" or "felt slightly disappointed" for less intense situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "felt like weeping" functions as a subjective expression of emotion, describing the speaker's internal state. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is used to communicate an intense feeling of sadness or despair, bordering on tears. Examples show its use in describing reactions to upsetting news or situations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "felt like weeping" is a grammatically sound and emotionally charged expression used to describe an overwhelming feeling of sadness or the urge to cry. As Ludwig AI confirms, it accurately conveys a strong emotional state. While relatively uncommon, its usage is primarily found in news and media contexts. When writing, reserve this phrase for situations where the emotional impact is genuinely significant to avoid overstatement. Consider alternatives like "felt like crying" or "felt on the verge of tears" for similar but less intense emotions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

felt like crying

A direct synonym, indicating an urge to cry.

had the urge to weep

Similar in meaning, but more formal.

felt on the verge of tears

Expresses a similar feeling of sadness, but emphasizes being close to crying rather than the impulse.

was close to tears

Indicates nearness to crying, but less intense than "felt like weeping".

wanted to burst into tears

Implies a sudden, strong impulse to cry.

felt a lump in my throat

Describes a physical sensation associated with sadness.

was fighting back tears

Highlights the effort to suppress crying.

felt overwhelmed with sadness

Focuses on the feeling of sadness rather than the physical act of weeping.

felt like breaking down

Indicates a sense of emotional collapse.

felt deeply saddened

Emphasizes the depth of sadness experienced.

FAQs

What does "felt like weeping" mean?

The phrase "felt like weeping" expresses a strong emotional response, suggesting an overwhelming feeling of sadness or a strong urge to cry. It conveys a sense of being on the verge of tears due to intense emotions.

What are some alternatives to "felt like weeping"?

You can use alternatives like "felt like crying", "felt on the verge of tears", or "had the urge to weep" depending on the context. These phrases offer similar meanings with slightly different emotional intensities.

How to use "felt like weeping" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "After hearing the tragic news, I "felt like weeping" in despair." The phrase typically follows a subject and verb (e.g., I felt) and precedes an explanation of why the feeling occurred.

What's the difference between "felt like weeping" and "felt sad"?

"Felt sad" is a general expression of unhappiness, while "felt like weeping" indicates a more intense and overwhelming emotion, specifically the urge to cry. The latter suggests a stronger emotional impact. You may "felt deeply saddened" as an alternative.