overwhelming sadness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overwhelming sadness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a deep and intense feeling of sorrow or grief. Example: "After hearing the news of her passing, I was engulfed by an overwhelming sadness that I couldn't shake off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It was this overwhelming sadness".

The New York Times

Words can not express our overwhelming sadness.

The New York Times

They had this overwhelming sadness — this deeply mournful sound.

The New Yorker

The chaotic goodbyes, the hugs and laughter completely mask the overwhelming sadness that creeps in.

The Guardian

I remember looking at those people and the overwhelming sadness was just too much.

The New York Times

With a profound, overwhelming sadness, we offer our heartfelt condolences to you, Stanley and Billy.

The New York Times

The overwhelming sadness was that we lost the best of them all, Harold Pinter.

The Guardian

The emotion his own poetry most often elicits is that of overwhelming sadness.

The New Yorker

A man goes to see his doctor, complaining of an overwhelming sadness.

The Guardian

Anne talks about "an air of overwhelming sadness since the events of Saturday".

The Guardian

These nightmares fill Toni with an overwhelming sadness, and sometimes she wakes up in a cold cloud of fear.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "overwhelming sadness", ensure the context clearly establishes the cause or source of the feeling to enhance the reader's understanding and emotional connection.

Common error

Avoid using "overwhelming sadness" repeatedly within a short span of writing. Vary your descriptions of sadness with alternative phrases like "profound sadness" or "deep sorrow" to maintain reader engagement and prevent the writing from sounding monotonous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overwhelming sadness" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "overwhelming" acts as an adjective intensifying the noun "sadness". As supported by Ludwig AI, this construction effectively describes a deep and intense feeling of sorrow or grief.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overwhelming sadness" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a deep and intense feeling of sorrow. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it effectively conveys the magnitude of one's emotional state. It appears most commonly in News & Media, and its alternatives include "profound sadness" and "deep sorrow". While its usage is widespread, avoid overuse in close proximity and ensure the context clearly explains the cause of the sadness. By considering these guidelines, you can effectively use "overwhelming sadness" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

profound sadness

Emphasizes the depth and intellectual understanding of the sadness.

deep sorrow

Highlights the grief and mourning aspect of the sadness.

intense grief

Focuses on the acute pain and distress associated with loss.

crushing despair

Implies a sense of hopelessness and being overwhelmed.

heartbreaking anguish

Highlights the emotional pain and suffering.

unbearable sorrow

Indicates that the sadness is too difficult to cope with.

consuming grief

Suggests that the sadness dominates one's thoughts and feelings.

devastating sadness

Emphasizes the destructive impact of the sadness.

extreme melancholy

Focuses on a persistent state of pensive sadness.

acute distress

Highlights the sharp and immediate suffering.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "overwhelming sadness" in a sentence?

To use "overwhelming sadness" effectively, ensure the sentence clearly conveys the intensity and depth of the emotion. For example, "The news of the tragedy filled her with "overwhelming sadness", making it difficult to speak."

What are some alternatives to "overwhelming sadness"?

You can use alternatives like "profound sadness", "deep sorrow", or "intense grief" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "an overwhelming sadness"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The article "an" is used because "overwhelming" begins with a vowel sound.

What's the difference between "overwhelming sadness" and "overwhelming grief"?

"Overwhelming sadness" refers to a general state of deep sorrow, while "overwhelming grief" specifically relates to the sorrow experienced after a loss, such as the death of a loved one.