slumped shoulders

USAGE SUMMARY

"slumped shoulders" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a posture that indicates defeat, exhaustion, or lack of confidence. Example: After hearing the bad news, she walked away with slumped shoulders. Alternative expressions include "drooping shoulders" and "hunched shoulders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Innumerable slumped shoulders.

The New York Times - Sports

Those pale hands and slumped shoulders.

The New York Times

All game long, he coaxed a stream of pointless hacks and slumped shoulders.

The New York Times - Sports

But on Tuesday night came the first slumped shoulders and long stares.

The New York Times - Sports

There is a forlorn sadness in the slumped shoulders and in the mouth and eyes.

The New York Times

He stepped out of the elevator, and I watched the doors close behind his slumped shoulders.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

In this new version Michael Black's performance is more conventional sad sack, all puppy-dog stares and slumping shoulders.

The New York Times

The elevator door opened in the Sutton Place penthouse of Richard Perry, the hedge-fund manager, and there he stood in the white foyer wearing a black knit suit whose slumping shoulders made him look like a bony country parson.

The New York Times - Magazine

Instead of slumping shoulders against a team that had the best home record in the NHL 20-2-1 20-2-1 20-2-1ne Coliseum, including eight wins in atrow), Anaheim produced perhaps its proudest performance of the season in a 5-2 victory.

Los Angeles Times

Shaker knelt, slump-shouldered, and gazed down at his clasped hands, muttering prayers.

The New Yorker

Knock-kneed, slump-shouldered and in a wheelchair for several scenes, the disoriented ex-mermaid is literally a fish out of water.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slumped shoulders" to vividly depict a character's emotional state, such as sadness, defeat, or exhaustion, in your writing. The phrase is particularly effective in setting a somber or melancholic mood.

Common error

While "slumped shoulders" is descriptive, overuse can make your writing repetitive. Vary your descriptions with alternatives like "hunched shoulders" or "drooping shoulders" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slumped shoulders" primarily functions as a descriptive element, often acting as an adjective modifying a noun or within a descriptive clause. Ludwig shows its frequent use in describing someone's physical appearance to convey their emotional state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slumped shoulders" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to depict dejection, weariness, or defeat. According to Ludwig, it functions descriptively and is most frequently found in news and media contexts. While there are various alternatives like "drooping shoulders" or "hunched shoulders", "slumped shoulders" effectively conveys a specific emotional and physical state, making it a valuable tool for writers. Although Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable, avoid overuse to maintain writing freshness. The phrase's prevalence in authoritative sources further solidifies its validity and utility in diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drooping shoulders

Replaces "slumped" with "drooping", emphasizing the downward sag of the shoulders.

sagging shoulders

Uses "sagging" instead of "slumped", highlighting a visible decline in posture.

hunched shoulders

Uses "hunched" instead of "slumped", highlighting a more pronounced rounding of the back and shoulders.

shoulders slouched forward

Changes the structure to emphasize the direction of the slouch.

stooped posture

Shifts from focusing solely on the shoulders to describing the overall posture, indicating a forward bend.

shoulders hanging low

Emphasizes the low position of the shoulders, suggesting a lack of energy or spirit.

bowed shoulders

Replaces "slumped" with "bowed", suggesting a more deliberate lowering of the shoulders, often out of humility or defeat.

dejected posture

Focuses on the emotional state reflected in the posture, rather than the physical description of the shoulders.

defeated stance

Emphasizes the overall stance, implying a loss of energy and confidence.

weary bearing

Highlights the tiredness and exhaustion conveyed by the way someone holds their body.

FAQs

How can I use "slumped shoulders" in a sentence?

"Slumped shoulders" is used to describe a posture that indicates dejection, defeat, or weariness. For example: "After receiving the news, he walked away with "slumped shoulders"."

What are some alternatives to "slumped shoulders"?

You can use alternatives such as "drooping shoulders", "hunched shoulders", or "bowed shoulders" to describe a similar posture with slightly different nuances.

What does it mean when someone has "slumped shoulders"?

When someone has "slumped shoulders", it typically indicates that they are feeling sad, defeated, tired, or generally lacking in confidence. It's a common nonverbal cue for negative emotions.

Is it grammatically correct to say "slumped shoulders"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Slumped" is an adjective describing the state of the "shoulders". The phrase is widely accepted and used in both formal and informal contexts.