lowered spirits

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lowered spirits" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of feeling sad, depressed, or less enthusiastic than usual. Example: "After hearing the disappointing news, many of us felt our spirits were lowered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Excluding the World Bank's money, mostly loans to middle-income countries, giving is nearly flat.In this section Straight but narrow Beaten but unbowed Hot tropic ReprintsThe whiff of mismanagement has lowered spirits too.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In groves of deciduous trees the high gods were worshiped, whereas the lower spirits lived in the fir groves.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They are merry men in waiting, as well as fugitive ancestors of the Lost Boys in "Peter Pan," but, once again, Scott neglects the promise of his own subplot and reverts to the lower spirits of his hero, who retains not a scintilla of youthful glee.

The New Yorker

When people are on their journeys and no protective measures are in place, it becomes a smorgasbord for lower spirits, hitchhiker spirits and many more that can affect one's life dreadfully.

Huffington Post

(Table 6) For couples, higher HAQ, higher age and lower spirits (mood) were significant predictors; for patients living alone predictors were age and being a woman.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

In step-wise logistic regression analysis, higher age, living alone, worse HAQ, lower spirits (mood) and being female had a significant negative impact on whether patients were sexually active.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Much about this election season lowers moderates' spirits.

The Economist

Because of that dominance, he believes, "achieved art is quite incapable of lowering the spirits".

The New Yorker

The mania is there in the frenzied editing, the inability to concentrate on a detail for more than a few seconds; and the depression is there in the forcible lowering of spirits.

The New Yorker

Still, that did not seem to lower the spirits of either the celebrators or the principals: the streets of Washington were a tangle of black and white stretch limousines, and the soon-to-be 43rd president seemed boisterous and bouncy as he explored the city that will, starting Saturday, be his home for at least the next four years.

The New York Times

Depression lowers the spirits and drowns the eyes in sorrow, though tears aren't the only reason why depressed people sometimes can't see straight.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lowered spirits" to describe a temporary decrease in someone's mood or enthusiasm, often due to a specific event or situation. It's suitable for descriptive writing and informal contexts.

Common error

While "lowered spirits" is acceptable, it may sound less professional in formal documents or business communications. Opt for alternatives like "diminished morale" or "decreased motivation" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lowered spirits" functions primarily as a descriptive element, often used to indicate a decline in mood or morale. Ludwig examples show its usage in describing the emotional impact of events or situations. According to Ludwig AI, this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lowered spirits" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe a state of diminished mood or enthusiasm. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, its frequency is relatively low, indicating that it might not be the most common choice in all situations. Ludwig examples show it appears in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts, generally maintaining a neutral to informal register. For more formal communication, alternatives like "diminished morale" or "decreased motivation" may be more appropriate. Despite the infrequent usage, this expression effectively conveys a sense of sadness or disappointment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dampened mood

Focuses on the emotional state being affected, similar to spirits but more direct.

diminished morale

Emphasizes a reduction in team or group motivation and confidence.

sank in spirits

Mirrors the structure of the original phrase but uses the verb 'sank' instead of 'lowered'.

depressed mood

A clinical term for a sustained period of sadness or loss of interest.

disheartened

A single-word adjective describing someone who has lost confidence or enthusiasm.

dejected

Implies a feeling of sadness, hopelessness, and disappointment.

discouraged

Suggests a loss of confidence or enthusiasm due to obstacles or setbacks.

morale declined

Highlights a reduction in enthusiasm and confidence, especially in a group setting.

enthusiasm waned

Indicates a gradual decrease in excitement or interest.

mood worsened

Focuses specifically on the deterioration of someone's emotional state.

FAQs

What does "lowered spirits" mean?

"Lowered spirits" refers to a state of decreased mood, enthusiasm, or morale. It suggests a temporary decline in someone's emotional state, often due to disappointment or adversity.

How can I use "lowered spirits" in a sentence?

You might say, "The bad news really "dampened mood" and "lowered spirits" among the team" or "The constant rain "depressed mood" and "lowered spirits" of the crowd."

What are some alternatives to "lowered spirits"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like ""dampened mood"", "diminished morale", ""depressed mood"", or simply describe someone as "disheartened" or "dejected".

Is "lowered spirits" formal or informal?

"Lowered spirits" is generally considered informal. For more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "declined morale" or more direct alternatives such as "decreased motivation".