completely wretched

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "completely wretched" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is utterly miserable, unfortunate, or of very poor quality. Example: "The weather during our vacation was completely wretched, with constant rain and strong winds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

I spent three months feeling completely wretched and absolutely nauseous.

The Guardian - Sport

I felt completely wretched and had a high temperature and swollen glands in my neck.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The all-new Dodge Durango is quite impressive as well, especially considering that the last vehicle with that name on it was completely wretched.

Forbes

Being addicted to heroin (unless you're into living a completely wretched existence).

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The Liverpool Mercury reported that he had "a wretched game at back and completely disorganised the Welsh defence", as Scotland won 8 0, while according to the Wrexham Advertiser, "some-one said that he appeared to have made a resolve before he went on the field not to kick the ball".

Wikipedia

Director of sport Steve Diamond has completely overhauled an under-achieving squad which has endured wretched back-to-back seasons in which they have fought to avoid relegation from the Premiership.

BBC

And they were wretched.

The Economist

O wretched state!

The New Yorker

Beeber was wretched.

The New Yorker

Conditions are wretched.

The Economist

"I feel absolutely wretched.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "completely wretched" to intensify negative descriptions, adding emphasis to feelings, situations, or objects. For example, describe a "completely wretched" day when everything went wrong to highlight the extent of the misfortune.

Common error

Avoid using "completely wretched" in formal writing or professional settings where a more neutral or sophisticated vocabulary is expected. Opt for alternatives like "extremely poor" or "highly unsatisfactory" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely wretched" functions as an adjectival phrase, where "completely" intensifies the adjective "wretched". It modifies a noun or pronoun to describe a state of extreme misery, unhappiness, or poor quality. Ludwig AI showcases instances where it describes feelings, situations, and objects.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "completely wretched" is a grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to express a strong sense of misery, unhappiness, or poor quality. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and usage across various news and media contexts. While it's suitable for neutral registers, avoid using it in strictly formal or professional settings, opting for alternatives like "extremely poor" or "highly unsatisfactory". The phrase effectively intensifies negativity, making it a potent descriptor for undesirable situations or feelings. Alternatives include "utterly miserable", "totally awful", and "absolutely dreadful".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly miserable

Focuses on the feeling of misery and despair.

totally awful

Emphasizes the negative and unpleasant aspects of something.

absolutely dreadful

Highlights the terrible and appalling nature of the situation.

thoroughly unpleasant

Underscores the disagreeable and displeasing qualities.

entirely hopeless

Stresses the lack of any positive outlook or possibility.

exceptionally poor

Focuses on the substandard or deficient quality.

remarkably bad

Highlights the notable and significant degree of negativity.

outright terrible

Emphasizes the complete and unmitigated awfulness.

painfully inadequate

Highlights the insufficiency and associated suffering.

abjectly unfortunate

Underscores the extremely regrettable and unlucky nature.

FAQs

How can I use "completely wretched" in a sentence?

You can use "completely wretched" to describe something extremely unpleasant or miserable. For example, "The weather was "completely wretched" during our camping trip" or "He felt "completely wretched" after failing the exam."

What are some alternatives to "completely wretched"?

Alternatives include "utterly miserable", "totally awful", or "absolutely dreadful". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "completely wretched" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "completely wretched" might be too informal or emotionally charged for some formal contexts. Consider using more neutral alternatives such as "extremely poor" or "highly unsatisfactory" in professional or academic settings.

What is the difference between "wretched" and "completely wretched"?

The addition of "completely" intensifies the meaning of "wretched", indicating a greater degree of misery or poor quality. "Wretched" alone suggests a state of unhappiness or misfortune, while "completely wretched" emphasizes that the state is total or absolute.