utter despondency

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utter despondency" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of complete and total despair or hopelessness. Example: "After hearing the news of the layoffs, she fell into a state of utter despondency, feeling as though all hope was lost."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Just weeks earlier in Tehran, I'd found a mood of utter despondency.

Independent

Yet when I visited Lahore last month, the predominant mood I encountered was one of utter despondency.

The Guardian - Opinion

But there would be no miracle, only relief on one side and utter despondency on the other.

The Guardian - Sport

She lights up with joy when she smells the raw bird coming home, and then gives a look, when she doesn't get any, of utter despondency: I'm the one creature in the family who likes meat most, and gets it least.

The New Yorker

"They would have to hold Palestinians at checkpoints, causing great distress," says David. "Maybe these people were going to hospital, but maybe one was planning to blow himself up".The Greenbergs' religious values (they are modern Orthodox) keep them from utter despondency.

The Economist

It's a book about what are very specifically American problems – the failure of racial integration, the failure of the education system, the utter despondency that follows the post-boom industrial decline – but they're problems that invite the reader to both have some empathy for the problems of another culture and consider their own culture in that light.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

More despondency!

The Guardian - Opinion

A despondency overtookIndian Islam.

The New York Times

The despondency soon lifts.

The Guardian - Books

"Captain America: utter, utter, utter tosh".

Independent

Still, I sensed her despondency.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utter despondency" to emphasize a complete loss of hope and a profound sense of sadness. It's strongest when describing emotional reactions to significant setbacks or losses.

Common error

Avoid using "utter despondency" to describe a fleeting emotion. It denotes a deep, sustained state of hopelessness, not a momentary feeling of sadness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utter despondency" functions as a noun phrase where "utter" modifies and intensifies the noun "despondency". According to Ludwig AI, it correctly describes a state of complete hopelessness. The function is to emphasize the degree or intensity of the feeling.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "utter despondency" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a state of complete hopelessness and despair. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid and suitable for use in written English. While relatively rare, its presence in news and media contexts suggests a neutral register. When writing, it's best used to describe profound emotional reactions to significant negative events, avoiding its application to fleeting emotions. Alternatives like "complete hopelessness" or "profound despair" can provide similar shades of meaning, depending on the desired emphasis. Consider the context and intensity of the emotion when choosing the most appropriate phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Complete hopelessness

Focuses on the absence of hope rather than the feeling of sadness.

Profound despair

Emphasizes the depth and intensity of the despair.

Deep dejection

Highlights the lowering of spirits and morale.

Abject misery

Conveys a state of extreme unhappiness and suffering.

Utter despair

Focuses solely on the emotion of despair, omitting the nuance of being dispirited.

Crushing sadness

Emphasizes the overwhelming nature of the sadness.

Bottomless grief

Highlights the seemingly unending nature of the sorrow.

Total disheartenment

Focuses on the loss of spirit and enthusiasm.

Complete discouragement

Focuses on the loss of confidence and motivation.

Deep sorrow

A more general term for profound sadness.

FAQs

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

You can use "utter despondency" to describe a state of complete hopelessness. For example: "The news of the company's bankruptcy plunged him into "utter despondency".".

What are some alternatives to "utter despondency"?

Some alternatives include "profound despair", "complete hopelessness", or "abject misery", depending on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey.

Is "utter despondency" a formal or informal expression?

"Utter despondency" is a relatively formal expression, suitable for serious or descriptive writing. In informal contexts, simpler phrases like "deep sadness" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "utter despondency" and "deep sadness"?

"Utter despondency" suggests a more profound and complete loss of hope than "deep sadness". Despondency implies a sense of resignation and hopelessness that sadness alone doesn't necessarily capture.