sense of despair

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sense of despair" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe the feeling of hopelessness and sadness that someone experiences. You can use it to describe a person's emotional state, or to describe a situation or event. Example: After months of job searching without any success, Maria felt a sense of despair creeping over her. In this sentence, "sense of despair" is used to describe how Maria is feeling.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There was a huge sense of despair".

The New York Times

"There's a sense of despair".

The Guardian

I feel a sense of despair.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You feel his sense of despair.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

So it's hard to avoid a sense of despair.

The New York Times

Mr. McAfee's isolation and sense of despair would quickly deepen.

The New York Times

The sense of despair and dissolution is palpable.

Independent

The sense of despair and desperation is all-encompassing.

The New York Times

What was at the bottom of his sense of despair?

The New York Times

"People get so overwhelmed by this sense of despair.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The sense of despair was palpable at the final whistle.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sense of despair", consider the intensity of the feeling you wish to convey; alternatives like "feeling of hopelessness" or "wave of desperation" can add nuanced emotional depth.

Common error

Avoid using "sense of despair" in situations that are merely disappointing or inconvenient; reserve it for truly profound feelings of hopelessness to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sense of despair" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a subjective emotional state. Ludwig confirms its correct usage, appearing frequently in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

14%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sense of despair" is a commonly used and grammatically correct noun phrase that effectively conveys a deep feeling of hopelessness and sadness. As Ludwig's analysis demonstrates, this phrase appears most frequently in news and media, with a noticeable presence in academic contexts as well. While widely accepted, writers should be mindful of the intensity it suggests, reserving it for situations where profound emotional distress is genuinely present. Alternatives like "feeling of hopelessness" or "wave of desperation" can provide nuanced options to match the specific context. The prevalence of authoritative sources using the phrase confirms its validity and widespread understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling of hopelessness

Focuses on the lack of positive outlook, emphasizing the absence of hope.

sense of despondency

Highlights a state of low spirits and discouragement.

wave of desperation

Conveys an intense and urgent feeling of needing a solution.

feeling of utter defeat

Emphasizes the experience of being completely overcome by failure.

abyss of sadness

Suggests a deep and overwhelming state of sorrow.

air of pessimism

Refers to a general negative outlook or expectation.

prevailing gloom

Describes a widespread feeling of sadness and negativity.

state of dejection

Implies a condition of being disheartened and dispirited.

depths of depression

Indicates a severe and prolonged period of low mood.

cloud of melancholy

Creates a sense of pervasive sadness and pensiveness.

FAQs

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

You can use "sense of despair" to describe a feeling of hopelessness and sadness, as in "After losing his job, he was overcome by a "sense of despair"".

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

You can use alternatives like "feeling of hopelessness", "sense of despondency", or "wave of desperation" depending on the context.

Is "sense of despair" the same as "feeling of despair"?

Yes, "sense of despair" and "feeling of despair" are largely interchangeable and convey the same meaning.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "sense of despair"?

It's appropriate to use "sense of despair" when describing a profound feeling of hopelessness, sadness, and loss of motivation, often in response to significant negative events or circumstances.