overwhelming sorrow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overwhelming sorrow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a deep and intense feeling of sadness or grief. Example: "After hearing the news of her passing, he was engulfed in overwhelming sorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Prescribing a pill, and nothing else, to people who question their existence is unlikely to heal them of their overwhelming sorrow.

The New York Times

Who lays greater claim to an image of overwhelming sorrow: those who walk by it twice a day, or those who see it fresh, still feeling shock?

The New York Times

This is a family that responds to pain with pride and rage, not the overwhelming sorrow that was its signature in its earlier incarnation.

The New York Times

Sagren, to the Chagos refugees, signifies a mix of nostalgia, desperation and overwhelming sorrow – a sickness for home so intense it can be lethal.

The Guardian - Arts

Those plumes always make me think of Waterloo, which took place 70 years earlier, but in the book the old hunter is set on a morbid train of thought that is, if anything, pan-historical: "My mind's eye singled out those who were sealed to slaughter, and there rushed in upon my heart a great sense of the mystery of human life, and an overwhelming sorrow at its futility and sadness".

The Guardian - Books

The overwhelming sorrow of finding a cup of tea you forgot about.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

It was when Emma, 41, started going to funerals in her late teens that an overwhelming feeling of sorrow descended.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"We feel overwhelming despair and sorrow, but we know we have to try to somehow cope and continue for Paul," she said.

The Guardian

I have learned to pull hope and strength from a book with an overwhelming sense of sorrow.

Huffington Post

The pain of losing that patient was overwhelming and the sorrow from the failed miracle was so immense it could drown me.

Huffington Post

I was prepared to face an inferno of emotions such as stress, the feeling of not being able to work fast enough, overwhelming circumstances and sorrow.

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "overwhelming sorrow" to convey a sense of intense and all-encompassing sadness. Ensure that the context clearly supports the use of such a strong emotional expression.

Common error

Avoid using "overwhelming sorrow" in contexts where a milder expression of sadness is more appropriate. Overusing strong emotional language can dilute its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overwhelming sorrow" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "overwhelming" modifies the noun "sorrow". This combination intensifies the feeling of sadness, portraying it as a powerful and consuming emotion. Ludwig shows multiple examples in News & Media.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overwhelming sorrow" is a grammatically sound and emotionally evocative phrase used to describe a deep and pervasive feeling of sadness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence in journalistic writing. While "overwhelming sorrow" is appropriate for conveying intense grief, writers should be mindful of not overusing it, which could diminish its impact. Alternative expressions such as "profound grief" or "intense sadness" may be suitable in certain contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, reflecting its use in reporting tragic events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overpowering sadness

Similar to "overwhelming sorrow" but using "overpowering" to describe the strength of the sadness.

profound grief

Replaces "overwhelming sorrow" with a slightly more formal expression emphasizing the depth of the sadness.

intense sadness

Focuses on the strength of the feeling of sorrow, making it a more direct emotional description.

agonizing sorrow

Stresses the painful and distressing nature of the sorrow.

deep anguish

Highlights the mental or physical suffering caused by the sorrow.

heart-wrenching grief

Emphasizes the emotional pain and distress caused by the sorrow.

crushing despair

Emphasizes the feeling of being completely defeated or without hope due to the sorrow.

unbearable grief

Highlights the extreme difficulty in enduring the sorrow.

consuming grief

Illustrates how the sorrow dominates one's thoughts and feelings.

extreme desolation

Highlights the feeling of emptiness and isolation caused by the sorrow.

FAQs

How can I use "overwhelming sorrow" in a sentence?

You can use "overwhelming sorrow" to describe a deep sense of grief or sadness. For example, "The news of the tragedy filled her with "overwhelming sorrow"."

What are some alternatives to "overwhelming sorrow"?

Alternatives include "profound grief", "intense sadness", or "deep anguish". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "an overwhelming sorrow"?

Yes, using the article "an" before "overwhelming sorrow" is grammatically correct when referring to a single instance or experience of overwhelming sorrow.

What is the difference between "overwhelming sorrow" and "great sorrow"?

"Overwhelming sorrow" suggests a more intense and all-encompassing feeling of sadness compared to "great sorrow", which simply indicates a significant amount of sadness.