vertwijfeling
desperation, anguish, deep doubt
Advanced Noun common
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Pronunciation
/vərˈtʋɛi̯.fə.lɪŋ/
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Cultural Note
Vertwijfeling comes from 'twijfel' (doubt) with the intensifying prefix 'ver-.' It conveys a state where doubt has become so overwhelming it turns into anguish. It is more literary than 'wanhoop' and often appears in novels and serious journalism.
📝 Example Sentences
In vertwijfeling zocht hij contact met zijn ex.
In desperation he contacted his ex.
De vertwijfeling stond in haar ogen te lezen.
The anguish could be read in her eyes.