desperately miserable

USAGE SUMMARY

'desperately miserable' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a feeling of intense unhappiness or depression. For example, "She felt desperately miserable after she had to leave all her friends behind to move to a new city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

She was desperately miserable as only the very young can be.

The New Yorker

In almost every way, she's a monster, and borderline-crazy, yet Theron makes her so desperately miserable — and so courageous in her mistakes — that we wind up sympathizing with her; we almost like her.

The New Yorker

Most of the Venezuelans who are murdered are poor, and they are being killed in greater numbers than ever before, while living in desperately miserable and violent slums, where many of those murders occur.

The New Yorker

What Figes learned, she says, echoes Coontz's thesis: a good marriage today – for its freedoms and equalities – makes you happy, a bad one desperately miserable and with feelings of unbearable loneliness.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I started sticking essentials on my credit card and, when you're desperately miserable about the amount of debt you're in, you tell yourself that another £20 won't really deepen the dark hole, and so you try to cheer yourself up in Primark.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I don't want kids to be desperately miserable but we don't want them to be complacent and self-satisfied all the time.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

One of the best movies last year, the truly harsh and disturbing "Frownland," is also the story of a desperately poor man suffering through miserable work, was made on an amazingly small budget.

The New Yorker

Crane, the seraphic, desperately ambitious, miserable homosexual poet, who committed suicide in 1932 by throwing himself off a ship in the Caribbean, was a natural subject of identification for Hartley, whose description of his own painting is worth quoting.

The New Yorker

Odishans remain desperately poor.

The Economist

Linda Partridge in Magnolia is miserable but desperately intelligent.

The Guardian - Film

I'm cowering under the covers, miserable and afraid, desperately trying to will time to slow down so I don't have to pull on my cycling clothes and face the day.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "desperately miserable" to convey a strong sense of unhappiness or suffering, ensuring the context supports the intensity of the emotion. Consider the impact on the reader and avoid overuse.

Common error

Avoid using "desperately miserable" to describe minor inconveniences or temporary sadness. The phrase implies a significant level of distress, and using it inappropriately can diminish its impact and appear melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "desperately miserable" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of extreme unhappiness. It intensifies the feeling of being miserable, conveying a profound sense of distress. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct and provides numerous real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "desperately miserable" effectively communicates a state of intense unhappiness. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a grammatically sound and usable phrase, primarily found in news and media contexts. While powerful, remember to use it judiciously, avoiding overuse in minor situations to maintain its impact. Alternatives like "intensely unhappy" or "terribly depressed" can provide nuanced variations, but "desperately miserable" remains a potent descriptor of profound emotional distress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terribly depressed

Emphasizes the clinical aspect of severe sadness and low mood.

intensely unhappy

Highlights the strong degree of unhappiness experienced.

inconsolably sad

Suggests a sadness that cannot be alleviated or comforted.

severely distressed

Focuses on the acute mental or emotional suffering experienced.

utterly dejected

Emphasizes a state of profound discouragement and hopelessness.

heartbroken

Suggests a feeling of overwhelming sadness caused by loss or disappointment, often in a romantic context.

profoundly sorrowful

Indicates a deep and pervasive sense of sadness.

extremely wretched

Focuses on the pitiable and unfortunate nature of the misery.

gravely disheartened

Implies a serious loss of spirit or enthusiasm.

bitterly disappointed

Highlights the feeling of disappointment mingled with resentment or anger.

FAQs

What does "desperately miserable" mean?

The phrase "desperately miserable" describes a state of extreme unhappiness or suffering, suggesting a profound and intense level of distress.

What can I say instead of "desperately miserable"?

You can use alternatives like "intensely unhappy", "terribly depressed", or "utterly dejected" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "desperately miserable" a formal or informal expression?

"Desperately miserable" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but it's crucial to ensure the intensity of the phrase aligns with the situation being described.

How do I use "desperately miserable" in a sentence?

Use "desperately miserable" to describe someone's feelings or state of being when they are experiencing extreme unhappiness or distress. For example, "She felt "desperately miserable" after the loss of her pet".