desperately feared

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "desperately feared" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is intensely or urgently feared, often conveying a strong emotional response. Example: "The consequences of climate change are desperately feared by scientists and activists alike."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

American slaveholders desperately feared that Haiti's fires of revolt would overleap those few hundred miles of sea and inflame their own human chattel.

The New York Times

The paperwork documents that Otto Frank desperately feared Nazism before the war and tried to emigrate through contacts in Britain and the United States.

The New York Times - Arts

More interestingly, though, Eastwood (as I wrote here at the time of the film's release) shows how Hoover used himself as a weapon against the threat of the public obloquy that he so desperately feared — and how organized religion fixed him in his course of lifelong anguish.

The New Yorker

"I desperately feared that she might die," says the 45-year-old.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Conservatives desperately fear another Clinton presidency and may embrace anyone who seems likely to blunt Hillary's advantage in moderate swing states.

The New York Times - Magazine

Proponents of ballot issues 2C and 2B, which includes a $1.9 million tax increase in the first year to pay for planning and analysis, say that the utility industry desperately fears a public awakening, and that a John Brown-like raid on a monopoly in one place could galvanize electricity consumers all across the nation to push for change.

The New York Times

Mr. McCain can even sound remarkably like a Democrat when he says, "Too many Americans go to sleep at night desperately fearing illness or injury to themselves or a family member because they are without health insurance to pay the bills".

The New York Times

Christian colleges and seminaries desperately fear change.

Huffington Post

Will they risk the judgement they desperately fear and communicate honesty through surrendering to the external world around them? Will they finally experience the freedom that comes with just living life instead of thinking about how they want to live life or how another wants them to live it?

Huffington Post

Even now, as the mother of a year-old daughter, she desperately fears being beaten.

Unicef

A loss at trial for the N.C.A.A. could establish the principle that players have the right to share in the billions of dollars of revenue generated by their labor, including from television broadcast contracts — a result the association desperately fears.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "desperately feared" to convey a sense of intense and urgent dread, especially when describing potential negative outcomes or consequences that evoke strong emotions.

Common error

Avoid using "desperately feared" in contexts where a milder expression of concern would suffice. The phrase carries a strong emotional charge and should be reserved for situations where the fear is genuinely intense and urgent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "desperately feared" functions as a verb phrase that typically acts as a predicate, describing something or someone experiencing intense fear. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. The adverb "desperately" modifies the verb "feared", intensifying the feeling.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "desperately feared" is used to express intense apprehension and dread, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Grammatically correct, it appears mainly in "News & Media" contexts and is considered relatively rare. When using this phrase, ensure the context warrants the strong emotional charge it carries. Alternatives like "greatly dreaded" or "intensely dreaded" can be used for similar meanings. While the phrase is grammatically sound, overuse in neutral contexts should be avoided to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intensely dreaded

Highlights the intensity with which something is dreaded, maintaining a strong sense of apprehension.

greatly dreaded

Emphasizes the intensity of dread associated with something, shifting focus from the fear itself to the object being feared.

extremely worried about

Highlights the extreme level of worry, conveying a strong sense of anxiety and concern.

terrified of

Expresses a state of terror, indicating a high level of fear and anxiety.

tremendously scared of

Focuses on the magnitude of fear experienced, conveying a strong sense of alarm and fright.

deeply apprehensive about

Focuses on the feeling of apprehension, suggesting a profound sense of unease about a potential outcome.

held in utter terror

Emphasizes a state of complete terror, highlighting the overwhelming nature of the fear.

gravely concerned about

Emphasizes serious concern, suggesting a deep worry about potential negative consequences.

in mortal fear of

Expresses fear for one's life, indicating a dire sense of danger and vulnerability.

anxious about beyond measure

Indicates overwhelming anxiety, suggesting a level of unease that is difficult to quantify.

FAQs

How can I use "desperately feared" in a sentence?

Use "desperately feared" to describe something that is intensely dreaded or urgently feared, often conveying a strong emotional response. For example, "The consequences of the economic crisis are "desperately feared" by many families."

What can I say instead of "desperately feared"?

You can use alternatives like "greatly dreaded", "intensely dreaded", or "deeply apprehensive about" depending on the context.

Is "desperately feared" the same as "slightly feared"?

No, "desperately feared" implies a high level of fear and urgency, while "slightly feared" suggests a mild level of apprehension. The intensity of emotion is significantly different.

When is it appropriate to use "desperately feared"?

It is appropriate to use "desperately feared" when describing situations or outcomes that evoke a strong emotional response of fear and anxiety, and where the potential consequences are perceived as dire or urgent.