waves of disappointment

USAGE SUMMARY

'waves of disappointment' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe strong feelings of disappointment or discouragement. Example sentence: We were met with waves of disappointment when our team failed to make it to the play-offs.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Literature

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

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

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

The New Yorker

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

Independent

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

The Guardian

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

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

Use "waves of disappointment" to convey a strong, overwhelming feeling of sadness or disillusionment resulting from unmet expectations or negative outcomes. It works well in both personal narratives and broader descriptions of societal reactions.

Common error

Avoid using "waves of disappointment" in situations that are only mildly disappointing. It's a strong phrase, so reserve it for situations where the letdown is truly significant to prevent sounding melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "waves of disappointment" functions as a noun phrase that often acts as a subject or object in a sentence. It describes the experience of feeling disappointment in an overwhelming or pervasive manner. The use of 'waves' provides a vivid image of the intensity and scope of the emotion, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Film

10%

Less common in

Literature

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "waves of disappointment" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a strong and overwhelming feeling of disappointment. Ludwig confirms this with real-world examples from reputable sources, primarily in the news and media context. While suitable for formal writing, it's essential to avoid overuse in mildly disappointing situations to prevent sounding melodramatic. Alternatives like "tidal wave of letdown" or "surge of disillusionment" can offer nuanced variations. In essence, "waves of disappointment" effectively conveys a significant emotional impact, emphasizing the intensity and scope of the disappointment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flood of discouragement

Replaces "disappointment" with "discouragement" to highlight a sense of lost motivation.

crushing disappointment

Simplifies the imagery while amplifying the intensity of the feeling.

tidal wave of letdown

Replaces "disappointment" with "letdown" to soften the emotional impact while retaining the imagery of a powerful surge.

surge of disillusionment

Substitutes "disappointment" with "disillusionment" to emphasize a loss of faith or idealism.

rising tide of dissatisfaction

Highlights the growing nature of the negative feeling, suggesting a slow accumulation of disappointment.

outburst of frustration

Focuses on the reactive emotion of frustration rather than the passive feeling of disappointment.

deep sense of anticlimax

Focuses on the feeling of letdown after an event fails to meet expectations, presenting it as a feeling or a situation.

sea of unmet expectations

Changes the metaphor from waves to a sea, focusing on the unfulfilled anticipations that lead to disappointment.

groundswell of regret

Emphasizes the element of regret that may accompany disappointment, suggesting a deeper sense of loss.

waning enthusiasm

Shifts the perspective to the declining level of enthusiasm, implying a gradual disappointment.

FAQs

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

You can use "waves of disappointment" to describe an overwhelming feeling of sadness or discouragement, such as: "The team was met with "waves of disappointment" after losing the championship game."

What phrases are similar to "waves of disappointment"?

Similar phrases include "tidal wave of letdown", "surge of disillusionment", or "flood of discouragement". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "waves of disappointment" is suitable for formal writing, especially when describing widespread reactions or significant emotional impacts. However, consider the tone of your piece; if a more understated expression is desired, opt for a less dramatic alternative.

Can "waves of disappointment" be used to describe a personal feeling or a collective experience?

Yes, it can describe both. For example, "I felt "waves of disappointment" when I didn't get the job" (personal) or "Waves of disappointment swept through the crowd" (collective).