hopelessness

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'hopelessness' is both correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a feeling of despair, especially when one is confronted with a difficult or seemingly impossible situation. For example: "Faced with the overwhelming task of cleaning the entire house, I felt a deep sense of hopelessness.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Law

World Affairs

Politics

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"To have such a sense of hopelessness, bleakness.

The Guardian

In the case of Vinter it was argued that his very hopelessness made him dangerous.

The Guardian

But Leviathan has been widely attacked at home: church groups have objected to its depiction of a corrupt Orthodox priest; the head of the town where it was shot complained that the film shows a "dirty, unwashed Russia"; and culture minister Vladimir Medinsky commented that films "with a sense of despair and hopelessness over our existence should not be financed with taxpayers' money".

The Guardian - Film

The individual is left in a position of hopelessness whereby he cannot progress whatever occurs".

The Guardian

"The longer a conflict lasts, the more insecure [IDPs] feel and when hopelessness sets in, many will cross borders and become refugees," said Volker Türk, assistant high commissioner for protection at the UN's High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

The Guardian

This combination of hopelessness and hopefulness is hard to fathom for someone like me; I can find everything I need spiritually and materially in the city where I live, London.

The Guardian - Opinion

There was never this sense of hopelessness, when you understand that everything that was good has already passed and now there will only be shit.

The Guardian

You see the complete hopelessness in the eyes [of enslaved people].

The Guardian

That sense of hopelessness hasn't featured in this election campaign, but I've heard much more of it travelling around London and Britain than any happy-clappy rubbish about "securing a brighter future".

The Guardian - Opinion

You can sense the hopelessness of the poor masses.

The Guardian - Opinion

This proved electrifying.It suited the ANC to make a messiah, and if necessary a myth, out of Mr Mandela, first to galvanise the masses at home, then to keep spirits up during the long years of repression, military impotence and political hopelessness.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hopelessness" to describe a deep-seated feeling of despair when facing seemingly insurmountable challenges, ensuring the context clearly conveys the severity of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "hopelessness" when describing temporary setbacks or minor inconveniences. Overusing it can diminish its impact and credibility; reserve it for situations genuinely marked by profound despair and lack of viable solutions.

Linguistic Context

The word "hopelessness" functions primarily as a noun, representing the abstract concept of lacking hope. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Examples in Ludwig show it describing states of despair and bleak outlooks in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "hopelessness" describes a profound lack of hope or optimism, often in the face of dire circumstances. As Ludwig AI indicates, the word is grammatically correct and widely used in English. With a very common frequency, it appears most often in news and media, expressing sentiments of despair and futility, though it's vital to avoid overuse in trivial situations. Related terms include "despair" and "despondency", each shading the meaning slightly. When writing, use "hopelessness" to convey a deep-seated lack of positive expectation, drawing from reliable sources to ensure accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of hope

Directly states the absence of positive expectation.

despair

Focuses more on the emotional state of utter loss of hope.

sense of despair

Highlights the feeling of utter hopelessness.

despondency

Emphasizes a state of low spirits and depression.

feeling of helplessness

Emphasizes the inability to change a situation.

pessimism

Highlights a general expectation that things will turn out negatively.

state of discouragement

Focuses on being deprived of courage or confidence.

futility

Stresses the pointlessness of effort or action.

absence of expectation

Highlights the lack of any anticipation of positive outcomes.

bleakness

Focuses on the cheerless and depressing nature of a situation.

FAQs

How can I use "hopelessness" in a sentence?

You can use "hopelessness" to describe a state of despair or lack of optimism. For example, "The prolonged drought brought a sense of "hopelessness" to the farmers."

What are some alternatives to "hopelessness"?

Alternatives to "hopelessness" include "despair", "despondency", and "pessimism". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a feeling of hopelessness"?

Yes, "a feeling of "hopelessness"" is a correct and commonly used phrase to describe the subjective experience of despair.

What's the difference between "hopelessness" and "helplessness"?

"Hopelessness" refers to a lack of positive expectation or optimism, while "helplessness" refers to a lack of ability to change a situation. You can feel helpless without feeling utterly hopeless, and vice versa.