distressingly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "distressingly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that causes distress or concern, often in a negative context. Example: "The results of the study were distressingly low, indicating a serious issue that needs to be addressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Hollywood film U-571 (2000), in which the Royal Navy's capture of an Enigma machine during the second world war is falsely attributed to an American crew (including chief engineer Jon Bon Jovi), was denounced in parliament by prime minister Tony Blair.

The Guardian - Film

U Myint Aye, aged 61, from Yangon, has a long track record of peaceful political activism.

The Guardian

Referring back to her iconic look in the Nothing Compares 2 U video – a huge international hit written by Prince – O'Connor admitted that she was asked by her label to reconsider her image for the 1990s video.

The Guardian - Music

In Britain, the US and France the top 1% have over the past 100 years seen their fortunes rise and fall and rise again in a U-shaped arc.

The Guardian - Business

Of these, Brundage sa id 85% – almost 600,000 – are unemployed even though many of them are employable.

The Guardian - Business

"This time it was União da Madeira, his eighth promotion, from the second division to the first tier (or seventh if we exclude last year as he was sacked before the end of the season): P. Ferreira 90-91, Académica 96-97, U. Leiria 97-98, Belenenses 98-99, Leixões 06-07, Arouca 12-13, Moreirense 13-14 and U. Madeira 14-15.

The Guardian - Sport

The U-6 number is around 13%, Yellen says.

The Guardian - Business

But on Thursday at an EU summit in Brussels, Luxembourg performed a U-turn and promised to hand over all the tax rulings to the commission after Vestager announced she was extending her inquiry to all 28 EU countries.

The Guardian

Indeed the pressure became so intense over the past 72 hours that the government was forced into an embarrassing U-turn over plans to cut allowances for younger disabled people in the republic.

The Guardian

"I guess it hurts 2 have the producers tell u to ur face that nicki is the best judge we've had since simon [cowell]," the rapper further tweeted.

The Guardian - Music

Amnesty is calling for the immediate release of Burmese human rights activist U Myint Aye, who is serving a life sentence for his alleged involvement in planning a bomb attack in the Shwepyitha Township in Yangon on 1 July 2008.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "distressingly" to convey a sense of unease or worry about a particular situation or outcome. It is effective when you want to emphasize the troubling nature of something without resorting to overly dramatic language.

Common error

Avoid using "distressingly" in very casual conversations or informal writing. Its formal tone might sound out of place; consider using simpler alternatives like "sadly" or "unfortunately" instead.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "distressingly" functions to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, expressing the degree to which something causes distress or worry. It is used to emphasize the troubling nature of a situation. Because Ludwig has no examples for the word "distressingly", it's usage is purely theoretical.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "distressingly" functions as an adverb used to modify other words, conveying a sense of worry or unease. Although the word is grammatically correct, Ludwig shows a lack of real-world examples, thus suggesting it may be a rarer adverb. If you intend to use the word, consider that Ludwig AI suggests that it may be more proper in Formal and Scientific contexts. While alternatives like "worrisomely" or "alarmingly" exist, "distressingly" offers a unique tone when you want to emphasize the troubling nature of something without overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worrisomely

Replaces "distressingly" with a direct synonym, focusing on the aspect of causing worry.

alarmingly

Emphasizes the alarming or frightening nature of the situation described by "distressingly".

regrettably

Indicates that something is happening in a way that causes regret or sorrow.

unfortunately

Highlights the unfortunate or unlucky nature of the situation.

sadly

Focuses on the sadness or sorrow associated with the situation.

deplorably

Suggests that something is happening in a way that is worthy of strong condemnation or disapproval.

grievously

Emphasizes the severe or serious nature of the distress caused.

painfully

Highlights the painful or unpleasant nature of the situation.

dishearteningly

Focuses on the loss of morale or enthusiasm caused by the situation.

lamentably

Suggests that something is happening in a way that is regrettable or unfortunate.

FAQs

How can I use "distressingly" in a sentence?

Use "distressingly" to describe something that causes concern or unhappiness. For example, "The study results were "distressingly low", indicating a serious issue."

What are some alternatives to "distressingly"?

You can use alternatives like "alarmingly", "worrisomely", or "unfortunately" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "distressingly" in formal writing?

Yes, "distressingly" is suitable for formal writing. It adds a nuanced way to express concern about a situation without being overly emotional or informal.

What is the difference between "distressingly" and "sadly"?

"Distressingly" implies a sense of worry or unease about a situation, while "sadly" simply indicates sorrow or unhappiness. The former focuses more on the troubling aspects, whereas the latter focuses on the emotional impact. In cases of emotional impact, "sadly" should be prefered.