out of despair

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "out of despair" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or feelings that arise as a result of hopelessness or deep sadness. Example: "She made the decision to leave her job out of despair, feeling that there were no other options left for her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

NHA sprang out of despair at the Lib Dem's failure to act over the bill.

The Guardian

Religion may well console some individuals at the bottom of the heap and may help some lift themselves out of despair.

The New York Times

It has a simple plot – in contrast with Lynch's own cryptic narratives elsewhere – but a characteristically unsettling one: a man kills his family and himself out of despair at their grinding poverty.

Independent

"Rising out of despair, not letting despair overwhelm you, is important," Qadiri says.

Vice

"Rising out of despair, not letting despair overwhelm you, is important," Al Qadiri says.

Vice

Out of despair?

The Guardian - Opinion

Not everyone climbs out of despair changed for the better.

The New York Times - Magazine

I'd much rather write straight out of despair".

Independent

Chelsea, with Villas-Boas's deputy, Roberto Di Matteo, in charge, had wrung victory out of despair.

The New York Times - Sports

"The Republican Party was the party that brought them out of despair," Mr. Yeger said.

The New York Times

I do know how he's supposed to have died, that out of despair he committed suicide.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "out of despair", ensure the context clearly establishes the preceding events or circumstances that led to such a state of hopelessness. This provides a stronger and more understandable narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "out of despair" to excuse harmful actions. While it explains motivation, it doesn't justify negative behavior. Clearly distinguish between understanding the cause and condoning the outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of despair" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to explain the motivation or cause behind an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes actions or feelings arising from hopelessness or deep sadness. The examples found across numerous sources highlight this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Formal & Business

11%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "out of despair" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe actions motivated by extreme hopelessness. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Analysis of its usage reveals that it is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with some presence in formal business and wiki sources. When employing this phrase, it is crucial to provide sufficient context to ensure the reader understands the severity of the situation leading to the described action. While "out of despair" explains motivation, avoid misinterpreting it as justification for harmful actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a result of despair

Directly states that despair is the cause of something.

born of despair

Indicates something originating or created from despair.

due to feelings of despair

Similar to "as a result of despair", but emphasizes the emotional aspect.

stemming from despair

Highlights the origin of a feeling or action as being caused by despair.

motivated by despair

Emphasizes that despair is the driving force behind an action.

prompted by desperation

Highlights that desperation is the trigger.

driven by hopelessness

Suggests a lack of hope is the primary motivator.

in the depths of despair

Focuses on the intense state of despair someone is experiencing.

succumbing to despair

Implies giving in or yielding to feelings of despair.

overwhelmed by despair

Describes the feeling of being completely overcome by despair.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "out of despair" in a sentence?

You can use "out of despair" to describe the reason for someone's actions when they are feeling hopeless. For example, "He quit his job "out of despair" after his promotion was denied."

What are some alternatives to saying "out of despair"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "due to hopelessness", "because of desperation", or "driven by anguish" instead of "out of despair".

Is it correct to say "from despair" instead of "out of despair"?

While "from despair" is understandable, ""out of despair"" is more commonly used and idiomatic when describing actions taken as a result of hopelessness.

What is the difference between "out of despair" and "in despair"?

"In despair" describes the state of feeling hopeless, while ""out of despair"" describes actions taken because of that feeling. For example, someone might be "in despair" after losing their job, and then act ""out of despair"" by selling all their possessions.