depressingly true

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "depressingly true" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a statement or situation that is unfortunately accurate and evokes a sense of sadness or disappointment. Example: "The fact that so many people are still living in poverty in our society is depressingly true."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The author's unrelentingly bleak depiction of the post-Soviet espiocracy also rings depressingly true.

The New York Times - Books

"It's just that I've seen this before," he says, a line that's too depressingly true to be funny.

The New York Times

Risthardh Hare looks at the film from a social worker's viewpoint, and concludes it is depressingly true to life.

The Guardian - Opinion

Of course, the stories we've published over the past half-century — mostly hard-hitting investigative pieces — have been depressingly true," the publication's Web site notes.

The New Yorker

Hoggart had taken a tougher line, arguing that "the reality of class has hardly changed", and, for all the pronouncements to the contrary from Thatcher, Major, Blair and others, his words ring depressingly true in 2012.

Independent

But when the turmoil of the last 12 months has receded and the 10th-anniversary deluxe collectors edition comes around, this strange, numb cinematic experience may seem fresh, shocking and poignant rather than merely and depressingly true.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

One depressingly, unavoidably true-to-life scene sees Sidney approaching a Hollywood starlet.

The Guardian - Film

Public Enemy, also alumni of Def Jam, offered timeless power that, depressingly, still rings true today: "911 is a joke," rapped Flava Flav while the fans screamed along.

Los Angeles Times

The fact that talented and serious actresses would do such a film is no surprise to me, but their roles are underwritten and depressingly thin, which is true for most films that are seen by the critical establishment as "serious".

The Guardian - Film

But just this once it could be true.Government is differentBegin with the depressingly long list of reasons to be pessimistic.

The Economist

That number is depressingly large, but even that under-counts the true number of unemployed.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "depressingly true" when you want to express that something is both accurate and causes a feeling of sadness or discouragement. It's effective in highlighting the unfortunate reality of a situation.

Common error

Avoid using "depressingly true" in contexts that are already highly emotional or melodramatic. Overusing it can make your writing seem excessively negative or insincere. Choose more nuanced language to match the tone of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "depressingly true" functions as an intensifier modifying an adjective. It emphasizes the unfortunate accuracy of a statement or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts to express a sad reality. The adverb "depressingly" amplifies the adjective "true".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "depressingly true" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey that a statement or situation is both accurate and causes a feeling of sadness or discouragement. Ludwig confirms this with examples from reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian. It functions as an intensifier, modifying the adjective "true" to emphasize the unfortunate reality. While suitable for formal writing, overuse in overly emotional contexts should be avoided. Alternatives like "sadly accurate" or "tragically correct" can be used depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

painfully true

Emphasizes the discomfort or suffering caused by the truth.

dishearteningly accurate

Highlights the disheartening aspect of the accuracy.

distressingly accurate

Emphasizes the distressing or troubling aspect of the accuracy.

sadly accurate

Focuses more on the sadness of the truth rather than its disheartening nature.

dismally true

Emphasizes the gloomy and depressing nature of the truth.

tragically correct

Highlights the tragic aspect of the truth, suggesting a more severe and sorrowful outcome.

bleakly accurate

Focuses on the pessimistic or bleak outlook associated with the truth.

unfortunately accurate

Emphasizes the unfortunate nature of the accuracy, implying a sense of regret.

regrettably true

Highlights the regret associated with the truth.

morbidly accurate

Highlights a gruesome or unpleasant accuracy.

FAQs

How can I use "depressingly true" in a sentence?

Use "depressingly true" to describe a fact or situation that is both accurate and disheartening. For example, "It is "depressingly true" that environmental pollution is worsening."

What are some alternatives to "depressingly true"?

You can use alternatives like "sadly accurate", "tragically correct", or "unfortunately accurate" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "depressingly true" in formal writing?

Yes, "depressingly true" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing unfortunate or negative realities. However, ensure that its use aligns with the overall tone and purpose of your piece.

What's the difference between "depressingly true" and "painfully true"?

"Depressingly true" indicates something that is both accurate and causes sadness, while "painfully true" suggests that something is accurate and causes emotional or mental pain. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize sadness or pain.