state of despondency

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "state of despondency" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a condition or feeling of deep sadness or hopelessness. Example: "After receiving the disappointing news, she fell into a state of despondency that lasted for weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He now lives under house arrest in a state of despondency, according to the book.

The New York Times - Books

In a letter to Hemingway, whom he'd met at the Ritz bar shortly after the liberation of Paris, he wrote that he'd been "in an almost constant state of despondency".

The New York Times - Books

Even if most Greeks accept that the over-budgeted Athens Olympics played a huge role in leaving their country bankrupt and bereft, the London Games was meant to be a pleasant diversion from the quotidian worries that have left many in a state of despondency and despair.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

After a matter of months, though, he was prompted to take it up in "a state of retrospective despondency… It all came back to me, if possible even sharper than before, the misery of my life before winning the Man Booker prize".

The Guardian - Books

The bombing was probably an expression of despondency, state media reported.

The Guardian

Roosevelt's conviction that a vigorous government could lift the nation from the slough of despondency found growing support.

Independent

Yet it's clear DeVito is most concerned with the current state of the US, about which his outlook hits Dave Schmerz levels of despondency.

The Guardian - Film

Very uplifting in times of despondency.

The Guardian - Books

Look for suicide attempts or other evidence of despondency.

The New York Times - Books

And there was a general air of despondency in the city Wednesday night.

The New Yorker

Aretha suffered through rough relationships with men, chronic weight problems and bouts of despondency.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "state of despondency" when you want to describe a prolonged period of sadness or hopelessness resulting from specific circumstances, such as a significant loss or disappointment. It suggests a deeper, more persistent condition than simple sadness.

Common error

Avoid using "state of despondency" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler terms like "sadness" or "disappointment" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "state of despondency" functions as a noun phrase that describes a condition or emotional state. It generally serves as the object of a preposition or the subject complement, depicting a situation of deep sadness and hopelessness. Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "state of despondency" is a valid phrase used to describe a deep and prolonged sadness or hopelessness. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness. While grammatically sound and often found in news and media, its usage is relatively infrequent. Alternatives like "condition of despair" or "feeling of hopelessness" may suit different contexts. When employing "state of despondency", ensure it aligns with the formality of your writing and accurately reflects the intensity of the emotion you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

condition of despair

Replaces "despondency" with "despair", suggesting a more intense level of hopelessness.

depths of despair

Highlights the extreme intensity and depth of the negative emotions.

sense of despair

Similar to "condition of despair" but focusing on a felt sensation.

mood of dejection

Substitutes "state" with "mood" and "despondency" with "dejection", focusing on emotional tone.

feeling of hopelessness

Emphasizes the feeling aspect, using "hopelessness" as a direct synonym.

deep discouragement

Highlights the loss of motivation and confidence.

wave of depression

Suggests a sudden and overwhelming onset of sadness.

period of gloom

Indicates a specific duration of sadness and negativity.

bout of melancholy

Replaces with a more nuanced and somewhat poetic term for sadness.

slough of despond

A more literary and metaphorical way of expressing a state of sadness.

FAQs

How can I use "state of despondency" in a sentence?

You can use "state of despondency" to describe someone experiencing prolonged sadness. For example, "After losing his job, he fell into a "state of despondency".".

What are some alternatives to "state of despondency"?

Alternatives include "condition of despair", "mood of dejection", or "feeling of hopelessness".

Is "state of despondency" the same as "clinical depression"?

"State of despondency" describes a condition of deep sadness, while clinical depression is a diagnosed mental health disorder with specific criteria. While someone in a "state of despondency" may be depressed, the phrase doesn't automatically imply a clinical diagnosis.

When is it appropriate to use "state of despondency" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to convey a severe and persistent form of sadness, typically in formal writing or when discussing serious situations. Overusing it can sound melodramatic; consider alternatives like "deep disappointment" or "prolonged sadness" for milder cases.