absolutely miserable

USAGE SUMMARY

"absolutely miserable" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize how unhappy or unpleasant something or someone is. For example: The weather outside was absolutely miserable today.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Absolutely miserable.

The Guardian - Tech

They're absolutely miserable.

The Washington Post

She looks absolutely miserable.

The Guardian - Books

Ms Mort added: "It has been absolutely miserable.

Independent

"I really feel absolutely miserable for those 33 guys".

The New York Times - Sports

"The politics on the ground are absolutely miserable.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

The rain was sideways--just absolutely miserable--yet my brother and I leaped out of the car with our rain jackets and our audacity, running into the water that stung our eyes shut because I wanted to see the tide pools and smell the ocean.

HuffPost

Instead, what both clinicians and patients experience is quite the reverse: we feel absolutely bloody miserable, we can't get up in the morning, we are dirty and unkempt, and we go along to our GP and are prescribed an antidepressant, and lo and behold we recover.

The Guardian

It's amazing to feel and hear how we are genuinely helping people improve their relationships with the people they live with as well as the suppliers they usually have an absolutely fucking miserable time with — think back to the last joyful moment you had talking to one of your utility companies," adds the Acasa CEO.

TechCrunch

— Søren Kierkegaard_ Say goodbye to my John Cocke John Locke ForFourour entire relationship, I was absolutely and irrevocably miserable.

The New Yorker

"What is really frightening is that the people who run our country have no idea that the new measures they are proposing are miserable, absolutely hollow.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "absolutely miserable" to emphasize a strong feeling of unhappiness or unpleasantness. It's more impactful than simply saying 'miserable'.

Common error

Avoid using "absolutely miserable" in highly formal or professional writing. Opt for more subdued synonyms like 'deeply unhappy' or 'extremely dissatisfied' to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absolutely miserable" functions as an adjectival phrase. The adverb "absolutely" intensifies the adjective "miserable", emphasizing the extreme degree of unhappiness. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Reference

3%

Science

3%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "absolutely miserable" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a strong feeling of unhappiness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively emphasizes the intensity of feeling miserable. While frequently found in news and media sources, it's versatile enough for informal conversation. However, in highly formal settings, consider using more subdued alternatives. Common errors include overuse in professional contexts where a more measured tone is preferable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plainly devastated

Emphasizes the feeling of being overwhelmed by shock or grief.

completely wretched

Highlights the state of being extremely unfortunate or unhappy.

thoroughly disheartened

Indicates a significant loss of enthusiasm and confidence.

awfully depressed

Indicates a serious state of low mood and sadness.

utterly dejected

Emphasizes the feeling of being extremely disheartened and hopeless.

genuinely crestfallen

Highlights a feeling of disappointment and sadness, often after a setback.

exceptionally unhappy

Highlights an unusual degree of sadness or discontentment.

totally despondent

Focuses on the loss of hope and the feeling of being in low spirits.

incredibly gloomy

Focuses on a pervasive sense of negativity and pessimism.

perfectly awful

Emphasizes the unpleasant and disagreeable nature of a situation or feeling.

FAQs

How can I use "absolutely miserable" in a sentence?

You can use "absolutely miserable" to describe feelings, situations, or experiences that cause extreme unhappiness or discomfort. For example: "I was absolutely miserable when I had the flu."

What's a less intense alternative to "absolutely miserable"?

If you want to express unhappiness without such strong emphasis, consider using alternatives like "unhappy", "sad", or "disappointed". The choice depends on the degree of negativity you want to convey.

What can I say instead of "absolutely miserable"?

You can use alternatives like "utterly dejected", "completely wretched", or "totally despondent" depending on the context.

Is "absolutely miserable" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "absolutely miserable" is generally more appropriate for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using phrases like "deeply dissatisfied" or "extremely unhappy" to maintain a more professional tone.