utter despair

USAGE SUMMARY

"utter despair" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
Example sentence: She was overcome with utter despair when she heard the news.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I've seen kids in utter despair.

The New York Times

"At times he has been in utter despair.

The Guardian

"I'd avoid the feeling of utter despair," he said.

The New Yorker

You're guilty!" "It was utter despair," John said.

The New York Times - Science

This was not a conspiracy – it was an act of utter despair.

The Guardian - Opinion

The viewer is grateful to Gagnon, too, for saving "One Nation Under Dog" from utter despair.

The Washington Post

The movie veers toward goofy comedy in order to avoid utter despair.

The New Yorker

Disbelief was followed by utter despair — and not just on Yahoo CEO Jerry Yang's part.

The New York Times

She says: "I have been depressed, having panic attacks and moments of complete and utter despair.

The Guardian

I had a sense of absolute utter despair; failure as an artist and a human being.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

And Appalachia's coalfields remain a "trail of utter despair" for many communities.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utter despair" to emphasize a profound and overwhelming sense of hopelessness or sadness. It is most effective when describing situations of extreme loss or failure.

Common error

Avoid using "utter despair" to describe mild disappointment or temporary setbacks. The phrase implies a deep, pervasive sense of hopelessness that is inappropriate for less severe situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utter despair" functions as a noun phrase, where 'utter' intensifies the noun 'despair'. It describes a state of extreme hopelessness or sadness. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "utter despair" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively conveys a profound sense of hopelessness. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for written use. While suitable for formal and informal contexts, it should be reserved for situations where the intensity of the emotion is genuinely high. Remember to choose synonyms carefully to reflect subtle differences in meaning and impact. This phrase is seen most commonly in News & Media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complete hopelessness

Focuses more on the absence of hope than the intensity of the despair.

total despondency

Focuses on the loss of courage and hope.

sheer desperation

Highlights the urgency and intensity of the situation leading to despair.

absolute misery

Shifts the focus to the overall state of suffering.

deep anguish

Conveys a more acute and intense suffering.

profound sadness

Emphasizes the depth of the sorrow rather than the feeling of hopelessness.

unmitigated sorrow

Emphasizes the lack of relief from the sadness.

extreme dejection

Highlights the feeling of being cast down or disheartened.

consuming grief

Emphasizes how grief overtakes one's entire being.

overwhelming grief

Focuses on the unmanageable intensity of the grief.

FAQs

How can I use "utter despair" in a sentence?

You can use "utter despair" to describe a state of extreme hopelessness or sadness, for example: "After losing everything, he sank into a state of utter despair."

What's the difference between "utter despair" and "profound sadness"?

"Utter despair" implies a complete loss of hope, while "profound sadness" refers to a deep sorrow that may not necessarily involve hopelessness.

What are some synonyms for "utter despair"?

Synonyms for "utter despair" include "complete hopelessness", "sheer desperation", and "absolute misery".

Is "utter despair" a formal or informal phrase?

"Utter despair" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the situation. However, it is generally more common in written or formal communication due to its intensity.