dreadful news

USAGE SUMMARY

"dreadful news" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe or refer to something extremely upsetting or distressing. Example: The entire country was shocked by the dreadful news of the terrorist attack. In this sentence, "dreadful news" is used to convey the gravity and seriousness of the situation. It is a common way to express strong emotions such as shock, sadness, or outrage.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lisa now knew the awful truth about her great-grandmother's death but she still didn't know what became of Yuri Barudin, her father's cousin who had brought the dreadful news to her family in New York sixty years earlier.

HuffPost

Kennedy had come to a poor black neighborhood in Indianapolis to make a routine campaign speech, but learned en route that Martin Luther King, Jr., had been assassinated; it fell to the New York senator to announce the dreadful news.

The New Yorker

It's dreadful news, really.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is truly dreadful news for the Republican.

The Economist

"We are quite crushed by the dreadful news," Wodehouse wrote.

The Guardian - Books

Anyway, it was this African American custodian who told me the dreadful news.

Princeton University

"This is dreadful news for all of us serving in Afghanistan.

Independent

"We are in a state of shock and disbelief over this dreadful news".

The New York Times

He received the dreadful news via a call from his tearful mother just as he arrived for training at Peterborough.

Independent

The nurse who gave me that dreadful news was to become a great friend.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This is dreadful news, not only for the victim but for her renowned doctor, too.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dreadful news" when you want to emphasize the severity and negative impact of the information you're conveying. It's particularly effective when describing events that cause widespread distress or concern.

Common error

Avoid using "dreadful news" in casual conversations or informal writing. Its strong and somewhat formal tone can sound melodramatic or out of place in everyday settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dreadful news" functions primarily as a noun phrase where the adjective "dreadful" modifies the noun "news". Ludwig confirms that it is a correct and commonly used phrase. The adjective intensifies the impact of the noun.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dreadful news" is a commonly used expression to describe extremely upsetting or distressing information. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is considered grammatically correct. It primarily functions as a noun phrase, with the adjective "dreadful" intensifying the impact of the noun "news". While it appears most frequently in News & Media, its formal tone can be out of place in informal contexts. Related phrases include "awful information" and "tragic report", which offer similar but slightly nuanced meanings. When deciding whether to use "dreadful news", consider the level of impact that the information has and the formality of the context in which you’re writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

awful information

Replaces "dreadful" with "awful" and "news" with "information", making it slightly more general.

distressing update

Focuses on the emotional impact of the news, suggesting it causes worry or anxiety.

tragic report

Focuses on the tragic aspect of the news, implying a significant loss or misfortune.

grim announcement

Highlights the bleak and depressing nature of the news being shared.

unfortunate revelation

Highlights the disappointing or unlucky nature of the news.

terrible tidings

Emphasizes the formal and old-fashioned nature of the bad news.

shocking disclosure

Emphasizes the surprise and disbelief caused by the news.

devastating intelligence

Stresses the overwhelming and destructive impact of the information.

calamitous bulletin

Elevates the severity of the news to a catastrophic level.

dire communication

Conveys a sense of urgency and danger associated with the news.

FAQs

How can I use "dreadful news" in a sentence?

You can use "dreadful news" to describe a piece of information that is extremely upsetting or distressing. For example: "The dreadful news about the earthquake spread quickly."

What's a less formal alternative to "dreadful news"?

If you're looking for a less formal alternative, consider using phrases like "bad news", "awful news", or /s/terrible+news"terrible news" depending on the context.

Is "dreadful news" always related to death or tragedy?

While "dreadful news" is often associated with significant tragedies, it can also refer to any news that causes considerable distress or disappointment, such as a major financial loss or unexpected setback.

What's the difference between "dreadful news" and /s/concerning+information"concerning information"?

"Dreadful news" implies a strong negative impact and emotional distress, while /s/concerning+information"concerning information" simply suggests that the information is worrying or raises concerns, without necessarily being catastrophic.