What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sadness
Example
She couldn't hide her sadness when her dog passed away. [sadness: noun]
Example
He felt a wave of sadness wash over him as he watched the sunset alone. [sadness: noun]
despair
Example
She was filled with despair after losing her job and being unable to find another one. [despair: noun]
Example
He felt like he was drowning in despair and couldn't see a way out. [despair: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sadness is a more common emotion than despair in everyday language. Sadness is a normal part of the human experience and can be caused by a variety of situations. Despair, on the other hand, is less common and is usually associated with more severe or traumatic events.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sadness and despair?
Despair is a more formal word than sadness. It is often used in more serious or dramatic contexts, such as in literature or poetry, while sadness is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
