filled with despair

USAGE SUMMARY

"filled with despair" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a feeling of hopelessness or unhappiness. For example: "The nation was filled with despair when news of the natural disaster spread."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

The air was filled with as much hope as it was filled with despair.

Yale University

Since then, the timeline of the case has been filled with despair.

The New York Times

"I don't want money; I want advice," the man began, his voiced filled with despair.

The New York Times

His death has left Pakistani journalists shaken and filled with despair.

The New York Times

They say they are filled with despair at President Hugo Chávez's growing power, and they appear not to be alone.

The Washington Post

But in the end Pandora opened her box again and released hope because, without it, humanity was filled with despair.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

In Fire At Sea, which won the top prize, Gianfranco Rosi takes a hard look at the overloaded boats filled with despairing, half-dead immigrants from Africa who land on the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa en route to Europe.

Huffington Post

The letters and diaries of Confederates in New Orleans in the weeks and months after the Federals arrived were already filling with despair and rage at the loss of authority over their slaves.

The New York Times

The songs are filled with more despair, more sadness, more triumph, more faith in the supernatural, much deeper feelings".

The New Yorker

Among his later books of poetry are the Pulitzer Prize-winning collection The Simple Truth (1994), filled with elegiac despair, and Unselected Poems (1997).

Britannica

Comparing himself to the early rock 'n' rollers, Ray said, "My stuff was more adult, filled with more despair than anything you'd associate with rock 'n' roll".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "filled with despair", ensure the context clearly establishes the cause or source of the despair to provide a more complete and impactful description for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "filled with despair" too frequently in your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "overcome with grief", "consumed by hopelessness", or other descriptive phrases to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "filled with despair" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun (either explicitly stated or implied) to indicate a state of being overwhelmed by hopelessness and sadness. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "filled with despair" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a state of profound hopelessness and sadness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and useful phrase. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academic contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral tone suitable for diverse writing styles. While effective, varying your language with synonyms can prevent overuse and enhance writing impact. The phrase's consistent presence across reputable sources reinforces its acceptability and understandability, highlighting its role in conveying intense emotional states.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overcome with despair

Changes the verb to 'overcome', suggesting a feeling that overwhelms someone.

consumed by despair

Replaces 'filled' with 'consumed', indicating a more intense and all-encompassing feeling.

engulfed in despair

Uses 'engulfed' to convey being surrounded and deeply affected by despair.

racked with despair

Emphasizes the painful and tormenting aspect of despair.

laden with despair

Implies being burdened or weighed down by feelings of despair.

awash with despair

Suggests being flooded or saturated with despair.

steeped in despair

Indicates being immersed or deeply affected by despair over time.

sunk in despair

Implies a state of being deeply immersed and unable to escape from despair.

replete with despair

Suggests a state of being completely full or saturated with despair.

fraught with despair

Implies that a situation or experience is characterized by despair.

FAQs

How can I use "filled with despair" in a sentence?

You can use "filled with despair" to describe a person or a situation marked by hopelessness. For example: "After losing everything, he felt "filled with despair"."

What are some alternatives to saying "filled with despair"?

Alternatives include "overcome with grief", "consumed by hopelessness", or "engulfed in sadness", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "filled with despair"?

Yes, "filled with despair" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard English structure of "filled with" + a noun to describe a state or condition.

What is the difference between "filled with despair" and "feeling despair"?

"Filled with despair" suggests a state of being overwhelmed by despair, while "feeling despair" simply indicates experiencing the emotion. The former implies a more intense and pervasive condition.