stinks of desperation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stinks of desperation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, action, or statement that conveys a sense of hopelessness or urgency, often in a negative context. Example: "His constant pleas for help stinks of desperation, making it hard to take him seriously."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Australia followed the early template: nothing stinks of desperation like promoting Brad Haddin to number three.

The Guardian - Sport

The line up is frugal and this response stinks of desperation.

The Guardian

I guess Sonic and the Secret Rings worked out okay for them, but this whole operation stinks of desperation.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

This held me back from loosing my proverbial "V plate" and made me a sexually frustrated maniac who'd jack off repeatedly to dispel the stink of desperation.

Vice

It stinks of teenage desperation and shabby old men, and by the night's end you'll probably end up slipping on someone else's stomach acid, and the same goes for most of the clubs in the Paraliaki area.

Vice

They stink of death and desperation and despair.

Vice

Or they're supposed to be like Splash!, where the second series is just a lazy replica of the first and the whole thing stinks of last-chance, please-like-me desperation.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The first gimmick was hatched out of desperation: The store wasn't attracting customers in its first months, so Rothman scrawled "Business Stinks Sale" on some old bedsheets and attached them to the front of the tiny store.

Forbes

An act of desperation?

The New York Times

It smells of desperation.

The New Yorker

"It was out of desperation.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stinks of desperation" to critically describe situations or actions that seem to arise from a state of hopelessness or extreme need. It adds a strong negative connotation.

Common error

Avoid using "stinks of desperation" in highly formal or professional writing, as its strong and somewhat informal tone might be inappropriate. Opt for more neutral phrases like "suggests desperation" or "indicates a sense of urgency" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stinks of desperation" functions as a descriptive expression, often used to convey a negative judgment about a particular action, situation, or behavior. It suggests that something appears to be driven by extreme need or hopelessness. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "stinks of desperation" is used to express strong disapproval of actions seemingly driven by extreme need, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While grammatically correct and found in news and media contexts, it's best reserved for situations where a strong negative tone is appropriate. More formal settings may warrant alternatives like "suggests desperation". Remember, it's important to consider the audience and context to make the writing effective. It carries a heavier negative connotation than similar phrases, which makes your sentiment clear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reeks of desperation

Replaces "stinks" with "reeks", offering a synonym with a slightly stronger negative connotation.

smells of desperation

Substitutes "stinks" with "smells", providing a more neutral sensory verb.

exudes desperation

Changes the verb to "exudes", focusing on the outward display of desperation.

has an air of desperation

Uses a more abstract construction, replacing the sensory verb with "has an air", indicating an atmosphere or feeling of desperation.

screams desperation

Employs "screams" to intensify the sense of obvious and overt desperation.

is a sign of desperation

Shifts the phrase to a more direct statement, identifying something as a sign or indicator of desperation.

betrays a sense of desperation

Uses "betrays" to suggest an unintentional revelation of desperation.

hints at desperation

Replaces the strong verb with "hints", suggesting a subtle indication of desperation.

suggests desperation

Offers a more direct synonym for 'hints at', implying desperation is present.

implies desperation

Similar to "suggests desperation", but carries a slightly stronger connotation of indirect communication.

FAQs

How can I use "stinks of desperation" in a sentence?

You can use "stinks of desperation" to describe actions or situations that appear to be motivated by extreme need or hopelessness. For instance, "His last-minute offer stinks of desperation" implies the offer is not genuine or well-considered.

What are some alternatives to "stinks of desperation"?

Alternatives include "reeks of desperation", "smells of desperation", or "exudes desperation", which offer similar meanings with slightly different connotations.

When is it appropriate to use "stinks of desperation" in writing?

It's appropriate in contexts where you want to convey a strong negative sentiment about a situation or action that seems motivated by hopelessness. Avoid using it in formal or professional settings where a more neutral tone is required.

What's the difference between "stinks of desperation" and "smacks of desperation"?

"Stinks of desperation" conveys a stronger, more negative impression than "smacks of desperation". The former implies a more overt and unpleasant sense of hopelessness, while the latter suggests a milder suspicion of desperation.