in despair

USAGE SUMMARY

"in despair" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a feeling of deep sadness and desperation about a situation. Example: After months of searching for a job, she was left feeling in despair.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Jalloh was in despair.

The New Yorker

I was in despair.

The New Yorker

"They were in despair".

The New Yorker

She leaves in despair.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Another doubles up in despair.

The New York Times - Arts

EU officials are in despair.

The Economist

The writer was in despair.

The New Yorker

I'm in despair.

The Washington Post

I am in despair.

The Guardian - Money

Onegin is in despair.

The Guardian - Music

Are they in despair?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in despair" to depict a character's or subject's profound feeling of hopelessness and loss of courage when facing dire circumstances. It's effective in narrative writing to convey intense emotions.

Common error

Avoid using "in despair" excessively or in situations that are not genuinely dire, as this can diminish its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic or insincere. Reserve it for moments of true crisis or profound emotional downturn.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in despair" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of extreme hopelessness or loss of courage. As Ludwig AI suggests, it correctly describes a feeling of deep sadness and desperation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

17%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in despair" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a state of utter hopelessness and loss of courage. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is effective in conveying deep sadness and desperation. Its usage is prevalent in news, literature, and encyclopedic contexts, making it a versatile phrase for expressing profound emotional distress. To avoid melodrama, it should be used judiciously in situations that warrant such intensity. Alternatives like "in anguish" or "in hopelessness" offer nuanced ways to convey similar sentiments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in hopelessness

Directly emphasizes the lack of hope, highlighting a sense of futility.

in despondency

Emphasizes a state of low spirits and loss of courage, showing a more subdued emotion.

in misery

Focuses on the state of unhappiness and suffering, illustrating a general feeling of discomfort.

in anguish

Focuses on deep suffering and emotional pain, intensifying the emotional aspect.

in distress

Highlights a state of danger or urgent need, indicating a critical situation.

in agony

Highlights extreme physical or mental suffering, suggesting intense pain.

in devastation

Highlights a state of extreme emotional shock and grief, emphasizing a profound loss.

in frustration

Focuses on the feeling of being blocked or prevented from achieving a goal, indicating annoyance and impatience.

in disillusionment

Highlights a feeling of disappointment resulting from the discovery that something is not as good as one believed it to be.

in wretchedness

Emphasizes a state of being extremely unhappy or unfortunate, suggesting a pitiable condition.

FAQs

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

You can use "in despair" to describe a state of utter hopelessness or loss of courage. For example: "After losing his job, he felt "in despair"".

What are some alternatives to saying "in despair"?

Alternatives to "in despair" include "in anguish", "in misery", or "in hopelessness", each conveying a similar sense of deep sadness and desperation.

Is it grammatically correct to say "I am in despair"?

Yes, "I am in despair" is grammatically correct. The phrase "in despair" functions as an adjective phrase describing the state of being. Similarly, you can use phrases like "I am "in anguish"".

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

"In despair" describes a state of feeling utterly hopeless, whereas "desperate" describes a state of being driven to take risky actions due to a sense of urgency. For example, someone "in despair" might feel paralyzed by hopelessness, while someone who is "desperate" might try anything to change their situation.