wave of disappointment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wave of disappointment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden and overwhelming feeling of disappointment experienced by a group of people or an individual. Example: "When the team lost the championship game, a wave of disappointment swept through the crowd."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

One section of seats after another went silent — a hundred-thousand-person wave of disappointment.

The New Yorker

This is an important decision and not one to be rushed into on a wave of disappointment about missed grades.

The Guardian

It is a rare occasion that a team reaches the quarter finals of the Champions League in a wave of disappointment.

Independent

So far he has been riding a rising wave of disappointment in Mr. Barak and profiting from a resurgent nationalist tide.

The New York Times

For example, a palpable wave of disappointment surged through the internet on Saturday when it became clear that Wagner's rendition of Help Yourself wouldn't contain any bongos.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Erosion from waves of disappointment and sadness".

The Guardian - Books

The action, by a 2-to-1 vote, sent waves of disappointment through the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, opening old wounds over the death on Jan . 19 1973, of Officer Stephen Gilroy outside a Brooklyn sporting goods store.

The New York Times

The flames engulfed the next six seasons, bringing despair, waves of disappointments and real tragedies, more than seemed possible for one team in one unassuming city, a litany that included two murder trials, the fall of a franchise quarterback, crushing losing streaks and cancer diagnoses that started to feel like a curse.

The New York Times - Sports

And then a tidal wave of rage, disappointment and raw desire overtook her.

The New York Times

Mr. Voronin was elected president in 2001 on a wave of deep disappointment that the Soviet collapse had brought Moldova little but poverty, corruption and civil war.

The New York Times

On the occasions when the place was closed, a wave of great disappointment swept through our car, and we stopped grudgingly at the fast-food chains in the town ahead.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "surge of disappointment" or "flood of disappointment" to add intensity.

Common error

Avoid using "wave of disappointment" in situations where the level of sadness is minimal. Overusing the phrase in mundane contexts diminishes its impact when describing genuinely significant letdowns.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wave of disappointment" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As per Ludwig AI, it describes a shared and overwhelming feeling of sadness or disillusionment. Examples include describing the public reaction to a political event or the emotional atmosphere after a sports defeat.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "wave of disappointment" effectively communicates a widespread feeling of sadness or disillusionment. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is grammatically correct and most commonly found in news and media contexts. While similar phrases like "surge of disappointment" or "flood of disappointment" can be used interchangeably to add intensity, writers should avoid overusing the phrase in trivial situations. Its neutral to formal register makes it appropriate for describing significant emotional reactions in various settings. When you seek to convey the scope and intensity of collective disappointment, "wave of disappointment" remains a potent and useful phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surge of disappointment

Replaces "wave" with "surge", indicating a sudden increase in disappointment.

flood of disappointment

Replaces "wave" with "flood", implying an overwhelming amount of disappointment.

feeling of letdown

Uses a more general term, "letdown", to describe the feeling instead of the more intense "disappointment".

sense of disillusionment

Employs "disillusionment", which suggests a loss of faith or idealism, rather than simple disappointment.

tide of frustration

Substitutes "disappointment" with "frustration", shifting the focus to a feeling of being blocked or hindered.

outburst of discouragement

Indicates a sudden expression of discouragement.

period of disillusion

Expresses disappointment as a state of mind for a limited time.

era of discouragement

Indicates discouragement as a state of mind for an extended time.

depths of despair

Conveys a much stronger negative emotion than simple disappointment.

moment of anticlimax

Focuses on the underwhelming nature of an event, rather than the emotion felt.

FAQs

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

The phrase "wave of disappointment" is used to describe a sudden and widespread feeling of disappointment. For example, "A "wave of disappointment" swept through the stadium when the home team lost."

What phrases are similar to "wave of disappointment"?

Similar phrases include "surge of disappointment", "flood of disappointment", or a "feeling of letdown", each conveying a sense of shared unhappiness.

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

Yes, "wave of disappointment" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing a widespread emotional reaction to events in news reports, academic analyses, or business reports.

What is the difference between "wave of disappointment" and "sense of disappointment"?

"Wave of disappointment" suggests a collective and overwhelming feeling shared by many. "Sense of disappointment" refers to a more personal and individual feeling. Use "wave" to describe the collective, and "sense" for individual experiences.