fit of despair

USAGE SUMMARY

'fit of despair' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a moment when someone experiences a sudden and intense feeling of sadness, hopelessness, or despair. For example, "After receiving the bad news, John fell into a fit of despair and was unable to do anything for the rest of the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

How quickly the young recover from a fit of despair and how handsome the girl had looked in the fresh clothes.

The New Yorker

Howard Lament, an engineer by trade, and a specialist in "the conveyance of liquids through valves of every shape and size," eventually comes up with an artificial heart that he then discards in a fit of despair.

The New York Times - Books

It makes me want to go out and get drunk, smash my hard drives in a fit of despair, and start the whole thing over from scratch the next morning.

The New Yorker

Authors, always sensitive creatures, might abandon a book in a fit of despair, as Stephenie Meyer initially did in 2008 with her "Twilight" spinoff "Midnight Sun," which she declared herself "too sad" to finish after 12 chapters leaked to the Internet.

The New York Times - Books

In a fit of despair he poisons himself with opium [the fourth movement, the March to the Scaffold]; but instead of killing him, the narcotic induces a horrific vision, in which he believes he has murdered the loved one, has been condemned to death, and witnesses his own execution.

The Guardian - Music

They defeat Mathias, and Chitose kills herself in a fit of despair.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

By Dan Chiasson Through Lowell's dizzying psychological dramas and fits of despair, Bishop remained a steadfast but unsparing correspondent.

The New Yorker

As a draft of the Volcker Rule has made the rounds in the last several weeks, it has alternatively caused fits of despair and cries of exultation.

The New York Times

These fits of despair recess into stray flashes of self-empowerment, momentary Stuart Smalley-esque realizations that I'm a completely qualified and desirable applicant (and doggone-it, admissions committees like me!).

The New York Times

For a year he "had fits of despair and hallucination during which he could not work, and in between them, long clear months in which he could and did, punctuated by extreme visionary ecstasy".

Wikipedia

Recently, amid reduced demand sparked by a synchronized global recession, the price of a barrel of black crude descended below $40 a barrel, sending OPEC into fits of despair.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fit of despair" to vividly portray a character's sudden and intense emotional downturn in literature or creative writing. This phrase works particularly well when describing a breaking point or moment of extreme distress.

Common error

Avoid using "fit of despair" to describe everyday sadness or disappointment. The phrase implies a profound and overwhelming sense of hopelessness, not just a temporary feeling of being down.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fit of despair" functions as a noun phrase. It describes a specific instance or episode of intense hopelessness or sadness. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is used across various contexts to depict profound emotional states.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Wiki

10%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fit of despair" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase that describes a sudden and intense feeling of sadness or hopelessness. Ludwig AI's analysis of real-world examples reveals it is primarily used in news and media, as well as wiki contexts, to depict profound emotional states. While not extremely common, this phrase effectively conveys a strong emotional downturn. For more general applications, alternative phrases like "bout of hopelessness" or "wave of despondency" may be considered, depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outburst of anguish

This alternative underscores the sudden and explosive nature of despair, focusing on intense suffering and distress.

bout of hopelessness

This alternative replaces "fit of despair" with "bout of hopelessness", emphasizing the temporary nature of the feeling.

wave of despondency

This phrase uses "wave" instead of "fit," suggesting a more overwhelming and less sudden onset of sadness.

state of anguish

This alternative emphasizes the suffering and distress associated with despair.

moment of profound sadness

This alternative is a more general expression, focusing on the intensity of sadness without necessarily implying despair.

surge of depression

This phrase shifts the focus to depression, implying a more clinical or prolonged state of despair.

attack of the blues

This is a more informal way of expressing a similar sentiment, suggesting a less severe and more transient feeling of sadness.

spell of melancholy

This phrase uses "melancholy," which is a more contemplative and less intense form of sadness than despair.

period of gloom

This alternative focuses on a general feeling of negativity and sadness, without necessarily implying hopelessness.

crisis of faith

This phrase implies a deeper, existential struggle that may lead to despair, but is not synonymous with it.

FAQs

How can I use "fit of despair" in a sentence?

You can use "fit of despair" to describe a sudden, intense feeling of hopelessness. For example, "After losing his job, he sank into a "fit of despair"."

What phrases are similar to "fit of despair"?

Similar phrases include "bout of hopelessness", "wave of despondency", or "state of anguish". The most fitting alternative depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "fit of despair" in formal writing?

Yes, "fit of despair" can be used in formal writing, especially when describing intense emotions in a literary or analytical context. However, be mindful of your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

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

"Fit of despair" describes an intense, overwhelming feeling of hopelessness, while "moment of sadness" refers to a brief period of feeling unhappy. "Fit of despair" conveys a much stronger and more profound emotional state.