in a cloud of despair

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in a cloud of despair" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a state of deep sadness or hopelessness, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "After receiving the bad news, she felt as if she was walking in a cloud of despair, unable to see a way forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He stopped shaving and cutting his hair, and sat around the house in a cloud of despair.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A 1911 history of black New Orleans leaders misspells the painter's name but calls him its "Titian in Louisiana," who endured vicious criticism that "cast a cloud of despair over his whole life".

The New York Times - Arts

Instead the committee went back to at least one old favorite, nominating previous winner Tom Wolfe for his novel, "Back to Blood," which includes the crashing metaphors in this description of an allegedly aroused woman: "the flood in her loins washed morals, despair and all other abstract assessments away in a cloud of some sort of divine cologne of his".

Los Angeles Times

It collapsed in a cloud of dust.

The New York Times

We are wrapped in a cloud of a healing energy.

WikiHow

With Jason Kreis's future continuing to be a looming cloud of despair, one would be excused for thinking the future of the club was hanging in the balance.

The Guardian - Sport

But 13 miles away at a displaced persons camp in the town of Bartella, jubilance was supplanted by a cloud of uncertainty and despair.

Vice

If you start to feel that familiar cloud of despair and hopelessness creeping in, you can try to anticipate your mood in the morning by preparing for the unknown the evening before.

Vice

Tuesday, though, the cloud of despair was lifted — at least for one day — to reveal, perhaps, a hint of that future.

The New York Times

I fragmented and went from floating on a cloud of hopeful optimism to being stuffed with despair.

Vice

A cloud of us.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in a cloud of despair" to vividly depict a state of overwhelming sadness or hopelessness, especially when describing a character's internal state or the atmosphere of a scene. It's more impactful than simply stating someone is sad.

Common error

Avoid using "in a cloud of despair" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can diminish its impact and make your writing seem repetitive. Seek variety by using other descriptive phrases to convey similar emotions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a cloud of despair" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe how someone is experiencing or performing an action. It illustrates the manner or condition surrounding the action, painting a vivid picture of intense sadness or hopelessness. As Ludwig AI correctly points out, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

18%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in a cloud of despair" serves as a powerful and evocative way to describe a state of overwhelming sadness or hopelessness. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and usable in written English, particularly in narrative and descriptive contexts where conveying the depth of emotion is key. While suitable for various writing styles, it's most effective when used judiciously to avoid diminishing its impact. Alternatives such as "engulfed in despair" or "overwhelmed by hopelessness" offer nuanced options for expressing similar sentiments. Predominantly found in news and media sources, this phrase paints a vivid picture of intense emotional distress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

engulfed in despair

Focuses on being completely surrounded and affected by despair.

overwhelmed by despair

Emphasizes the feeling of being burdened and unable to cope with despair.

consumed by hopelessness

Highlights the lack of positive outlook and the dominance of despair.

drowning in sorrow

Uses a stronger emotional image of being submerged in sadness.

lost in grief

Focuses on the disorientation and confusion caused by intense sadness.

under a pall of gloom

Employs a more formal and literary tone to describe a pervasive feeling of sadness.

in the depths of depression

Refers specifically to the clinical condition of depression, indicating a prolonged and severe state of sadness.

cloaked in misery

Suggests being covered or concealed by a state of unhappiness.

blanketed by despondency

Implies a widespread feeling of discouragement and sadness.

gripped by anguish

Conveys a sense of intense suffering and emotional pain.

FAQs

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

You can use "in a cloud of despair" to describe a state of deep sadness or hopelessness. For example: "After losing his job, he wandered around /s/in+a+cloud+of+despair.

What are some alternatives to "in a cloud of despair"?

Some alternatives include "engulfed in despair", "overwhelmed by despair", or "consumed by hopelessness". Each alternative offers a slightly different nuance while conveying a similar sentiment.

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

While "in a cloud of despair" is acceptable in various contexts, it might be more suited for descriptive or narrative writing. In formal or professional contexts, consider more direct or clinical terms depending on the specific purpose.

What is the difference between "in a cloud of despair" and /s/in+a+state+of+despair?

"In a cloud of despair" uses a metaphor to create a vivid image of sadness. /s/in+a+state+of+despair is more direct and less figurative, simply stating the condition.