in complete despair

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in complete despair" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of utter hopelessness or extreme sadness. Example: "After hearing the news of her friend's passing, she was left in complete despair."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Faced by that need - and no one visits Katine without coming face to face with someone in complete despair - Amref's project can seem a drop in the ocean.

The Guardian

My God, if that was my life, I would live every day in complete despair.

Huffington Post

One of my friends said this to me when I was in complete despair, and it was exactly the kind of straightforward, no-nonsense advice that I needed to hear at the time.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

When my brother told me he'd booked his honeymoon to Paradise Island in the Bahamas I felt complete despair that I couldn't convince him to choose somewhere nicer (there are 700 islands of the Bahamas - real castaways, nearly all more romantic than Paradise Island).

The Guardian - Travel

But during the Great Depression, she might have been all that prevented the struggling city of Chester, and the equally hardscrabble neighboring town of Newell, from sliding into the Ohio River in complete somnolent despair.

The New York Times - Books

True believers in deficit reduction need not give way to complete despair — Mr. Summers insisted that deficit reduction was not "inconsequential".

The New York Times

I confess I am — or rather, the complete despair about the "peace process" with which I arrived in Israel has eased.

The New York Times

At the time, a number of Conservatives told me they were 'in complete despair' about the route the Prime Minister had taken.

Independent

That was the first moment of complete despair.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But his complete despair over Dougie has me questioning myself.

Vice

Either that or you will slump forward, head in hands, in despair at the complete and utter unquestioning prostration towards vintage R&B and conclude that Janeway has simply been loving it too long.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in complete despair", ensure the context clearly establishes the reason for such profound sadness or hopelessness. This provides a stronger emotional impact for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "in complete despair" for situations that warrant less intense emotional responses. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing melodramatic. Choose a more moderate expression like "disappointed" or "discouraged" for less severe situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in complete despair" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to describe the state or condition of someone or something. According to Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English and describes a state of utter hopelessness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in complete despair" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe a state of utter hopelessness. According to Ludwig, it is considered usable in written English. While not frequently encountered, it effectively conveys a strong emotional state, particularly in serious contexts like news reporting and descriptive writing. Alternative phrases such as "in utter despair" or "in total despair", provide similar meanings with slight variations in intensity. When using "in complete despair", be mindful of the context to ensure its appropriate emotional weight, avoiding overuse in less severe situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in utter despair

This alternative intensifies the feeling of despair, emphasizing its totality.

in total despair

This phrase is nearly synonymous, highlighting the all-encompassing nature of the despair.

in complete hopelessness

This shifts the focus to the absence of hope, which often accompanies deep despair.

in absolute despair

This emphasizes the certainty and lack of any relief from the despair.

in profound despair

This highlights the depth and intensity of the despair.

in deep despair

This focuses on the depth of the despair, suggesting it's deeply felt.

in abject despair

This emphasizes the miserable and degraded state caused by the despair.

in utter devastation

While devastation refers to destruction, it can carry a similar emotional weight to despair, implying overwhelming loss.

in complete agony

This emphasizes the pain and suffering experienced, which can be a component of despair.

in a state of despondency

This alternative refers to a state of low spirits and loss of hope, reflecting a similar sentiment to despair.

FAQs

How can I use "in complete despair" in a sentence?

You can use "in complete despair" to describe a state of utter hopelessness. For example, "After losing everything, he was left in complete despair."

What phrases are similar to "in complete despair"?

Alternatives to "in complete despair" include "in utter despair", "in total despair", or "in complete hopelessness".

Is "in complete despair" formal or informal?

"In complete despair" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal expression, suitable for both writing and speech when describing extreme sadness or hopelessness. The level of formality depends heavily on the overall context.

What's the difference between "in despair" and "in complete despair"?

While both phrases describe a state of hopelessness, "in complete despair" emphasizes the intensity and totality of the feeling. The addition of "complete" amplifies the depth and pervasiveness of the despair compared to simply "in despair".