look of despair

USAGE SUMMARY

"look of despair" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the expression on someone's face when they are feeling discouraged or hopeless. For example: "She could not hide her look of despair when she saw the results of her exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

The look of despair on John Cusack's face says it all: musical-theater types are losers.

The New York Times

After the Nets' third straight loss, Van Horn wore a look of despair.

The New York Times - Sports

The shocked security guard then turns around to face the camera, a look of despair on his face.

Independent

THE Afghan counterman at the Kennedy Fried Chicken on Nostrand Avenue in Flatbush, Brooklyn, radiated a look of despair.

The New York Times

"We'd played with a chamber orchestra," Walker explains, with an existential look of despair on his face.

The Guardian - Music

The look of despair that creases Thirimanne's face when he fails to score from the fifth delivery shows precisely what the batsmen think of Gayle's bowling abilities.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

If Willy lives in a dream world, his wife Linda inhabits the actual one: one tiny moment I shall long remember from Harriet Walter's fine performance is the look of despairing complicity she shares with the Lomans' neighbour as Willy goes off into one of his spiralling fantasies.

The Guardian

I try to imagine the story in my head while listening to the words being sung or chanted and then convey my emotions through my facial expressions– a smile if it is happy, looks of despair in times of heartbreak or rage in my eyes when a battle ensues.

Columbia University

And seconds before half-time, Wolves' frowns turned to looks of despair when Mark Clattenburg pointed to the spot after Hoolahan's drive struck the arm of Jonsson.

BBC

As I read "Hope and Despair for POWs' Families" (March 25), I found it interesting that, as the article continued on Page A4, there is a picture of Iraqi POWs huddled together behind barbed wire with looks of despair on their faces.

Los Angeles Times

Tiger Woods left the course wearing a look of complete despair, but said, "I'm not down, I'm really angry".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "look of despair" to vividly depict a character's emotional state in narratives. It effectively conveys profound sadness or hopelessness.

Common error

Avoid attributing a "look of despair" to temporary setbacks. This phrase best describes profound, sustained hopelessness, not fleeting disappointment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "look of despair" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically correct way to describe someone's facial expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "look of despair" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone's facial expression when they are feeling profoundly hopeless or discouraged. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys a strong sense of sadness. Predominantly found in news and media, its use extends to encyclopedic and formal business contexts. While alternatives such as "expression of hopelessness" or "air of despondency" exist, "look of despair" remains a vivid and impactful choice for depicting deep sorrow.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expression of hopelessness

This alternative emphasizes the lack of hope conveyed by the expression.

air of despondency

This phrase highlights the overall mood or atmosphere of dejection surrounding someone.

visage of anguish

This alternative uses more formal language to describe a face marked by suffering.

semblance of misery

This emphasizes the outward appearance of intense unhappiness.

countenance of grief

This uses more formal language to describe a face expressing sorrow.

mask of dejection

This suggests that the person is trying to hide their despair but it is still evident.

features etched with sadness

This focuses on the lasting impact of sorrow on someone's face.

display of wretchedness

This emphasizes the obvious and pitiable state of the person.

aspect of forlornness

This highlights the sense of being abandoned and lonely.

image of utter sadness

This describes a visual representation of complete sorrow.

FAQs

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

You can use "look of despair" to describe someone's facial expression when they are feeling extremely sad, hopeless, or discouraged. For example, "She had a "look of despair" after hearing the news".

What can I say instead of "look of despair"?

You can use alternatives like "expression of hopelessness", "air of despondency", or "visage of anguish" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "look of despair" or "feeling of despair"?

"Look of despair" refers to an outward expression, while "feeling of despair" describes an internal emotion. The choice depends on whether you're describing a visible expression or an internal state.

What's the difference between "look of despair" and "act of despair"?

"Look of despair" describes a facial expression indicating hopelessness. "Act of despair" refers to an action taken because of extreme hopelessness, often suggesting a drastic measure.