wave of despair

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wave of despair" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden and overwhelming feeling of hopelessness or sadness that affects a group of people or an individual. Example: "After hearing the news of the disaster, a wave of despair swept through the community, leaving everyone in shock."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Mr. Garcia's injuries, though, touched off a new wave of despair among Tyler Pipe's employees.

The New York Times

The release to the streets of mentally ill people, with no support or therapeutic care, created a wave of despair.

The New York Times

After a happy evening with his parents, the e-mail said, "in a momentary wave of despair at his home, he took his life".

The New York Times

I wondered how many of those standing in the cold night air had experienced the God-awful wave of despair that envelopes you in the most mundane of situations.

Independent

"We had two drivers of white vans come forward who were at shooting scenes to say, 'I was there, but it wasn't me.' " Ms. Franklin's shooting brought a fresh wave of despair.

The New York Times

That way, Springer says, if a veteran is "hit by a wave of despair or fright, or if the wrong circumstances come into his life, or he's been drinking" and gets the impulse to grab his gun, the box's other contents might change his mind.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

They had experienced waves of despair and, even now, were skeptical about whether their deliverance was at hand.

The New York Times

Set between George Bush's reëlection and the coming of Barack Obama, it charts that period's waves of despair and hope, but the characters too often come off as overeager and almost adolescent.

The New Yorker

In the more than four months since the storm submerged much of this coastal neighborhood under surging water and waves of despair, residents and business owners have trekked an often-tortuous path of recovery, seeded with second-guessing, wild hope and fear.

The New York Times

The realness and authenticity of Josh's waves of despair and healing and joy and guilt mix together to create something beautiful and memorable.

Huffington Post

The rise of Isis was facilitated by Nouri al-Maliki's divisive sectarian approach which allowed Isis to ride a wave of Sunni Arab despair.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wave of despair" to describe a widespread feeling affecting many people, rather than individual sadness. It emphasizes the collective experience of hopelessness.

Common error

Avoid using "wave of despair" to describe minor disappointments or everyday setbacks. This phrase is best reserved for situations involving significant loss, trauma, or widespread hardship where the feeling of hopelessness is genuinely profound.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wave of despair" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. It describes an intense and pervasive feeling of hopelessness that spreads like a wave. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "wave of despair" is a noun phrase used to describe a widespread and intense feeling of hopelessness. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English, especially in contexts related to news and media, as well as academic discussions. While not extremely common, the phrase effectively conveys the emotional impact of significant negative events. When using "wave of despair", it's important to reserve it for situations involving genuinely profound feelings of hopelessness rather than minor disappointments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surge of hopelessness

Emphasizes the sudden and powerful onset of hopelessness.

flood of sadness

Highlights the overwhelming nature of the sadness experienced.

outburst of despondency

Focuses on a sudden and intense display of despondency.

bout of gloom

Suggests a temporary period of sadness or pessimism.

fit of melancholy

Implies a more prolonged and reflective state of sadness.

tide of misery

Highlights the continuous and pervasive nature of the suffering.

peak of discouragement

Focuses on a high point or climax of feeling discouraged.

spell of pessimism

Refers to a period characterized by negative expectations.

rush of anguish

Stresses the intense and sharp pain of anguish.

depth of dejection

Implies a profound and severe state of sadness and low spirits.

FAQs

How can I use "wave of despair" in a sentence?

You can use "wave of despair" to describe a sudden and overwhelming feeling of hopelessness or sadness that affects a group of people. For example: "After the announcement, a "wave of despair" washed over the community".

What phrases are similar to "wave of despair"?

Alternatives to "wave of despair" include "surge of hopelessness", "flood of sadness", or "outburst of despondency", each emphasizing different aspects of the experience.

Is it appropriate to use "wave of despair" in formal writing?

Yes, "wave of despair" is suitable for formal writing, especially when describing serious events or widespread emotional reactions. However, consider the intensity of the situation and whether a less dramatic phrase might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "wave of despair" and "feeling sad"?

"Wave of despair" suggests a sudden, overwhelming, and widespread feeling of hopelessness, while "feeling sad" is a more general and personal emotion. The former implies a collective experience of profound negativity.