dreadful sight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dreadful sight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is shocking, unpleasant, or distressing to look at. Example: "The aftermath of the storm was a dreadful sight, with debris scattered everywhere and homes damaged beyond repair."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

4.31am GMT A dreadful sight.

The Guardian

If the father is eventually captured and survives to reminisce about his past life, as sometimes happens even to dictators, he may explain why he exposed his sons to this dreadful sight.

The Economist

Type in "Robert Frost": Two roads diverge at the yellow light, Alas you cannot travel both If you pause and look down the one that goes right You'll see a really dreadful sight The seething sprawl of suburban growth.

The New Yorker

For a historian of New York, the dreadful sight of trapped World Trade Center workers leaping to their deaths on Sept. 11 summoned up the horrible image of trapped seamstresses, hair and clothing ablaze, plunging from the Triangle shirtwaist factory on March 25 , 1911

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Pro Skater 5 is dreadful.

Vice

The script? "Dreadful".

Los Angeles Times

Winston Churchill, a model of doughty courage and total refusal to surrender, went among the common people in World War II, openly weeping when he saw dreadful sights during the Blitz, and observers tell us he was unashamed by his tears.

Huffington Post

"It felt dreadful.

BBC

As I beheld into the East and high to the sun, I saw a tower on a tuft, tryly y-made; A deep dale beneath, a dungeon therein, With deep ditches and dark and dreadful of sight A fair field full of folk found I there between; Of all manner of men, the mean and the rich, Working and wandering as the world asketh.

The New Yorker

What a dreadful view.

Huffington Post

However, the source of our collective distress is not only the horrific sights and sounds of violence and terror, but deep down, through such dreadful disasters we also struggle with our common conceptions of a loving God.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dreadful sight" to describe something visually unpleasant that also evokes a sense of horror or dismay. It's more impactful than simply saying something is "ugly" or "bad".

Common error

Avoid using "dreadful sight" to describe minor inconveniences. The phrase carries significant weight and is best reserved for truly shocking or disturbing visuals.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dreadful sight" functions as a noun phrase, where "dreadful" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "sight". It describes a visual experience that evokes strong negative emotions. Ludwig AI indicates correctness and real-world examples showcase its descriptive usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

13%

Science

12%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dreadful sight" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe something visually shocking or unpleasant. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples from varied sources. While relatively rare in overall usage, it frequently appears in news and media contexts to convey a sense of horror or dismay. Alternative phrases like "horrific spectacle" or "appalling scene" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

horrific spectacle

Replaces "sight" with "spectacle", emphasizing the public and dramatic nature of the scene.

appalling scene

Focuses on the overall scene being shockingly bad rather than just the visual aspect.

terrible vision

Substitutes "sight" with "vision", suggesting a more personal and impactful experience.

awful view

Replaces "dreadful" with "awful" and "sight" with "view", presenting a more commonplace but negative image.

horrendous view

Emphasizes the shocking and terrible nature of what is seen.

gruesome spectacle

Highlights the repulsiveness and horror of the scene.

shocking scene

Focuses on the element of surprise and disturbance caused by the scene.

disturbing image

Shifts the focus to the mental or emotional impact of the scene.

unpleasant view

Uses more neutral terms to describe something that is disagreeable to look at.

ghastly scene

Implies a scene that is spectral and reminiscent of death.

FAQs

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

Use "dreadful sight" to describe something visually shocking, disturbing, or extremely unpleasant. For example, "The scene of the accident was a "dreadful sight"."

What's a less intense alternative to "dreadful sight"?

If you want to describe something visually unappealing without the strong negative connotations, you could use phrases like "unpleasant view" or "unsightly scene".

Is "dreadful sight" a formal or informal expression?

"Dreadful sight" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal expression, suitable for news reports, descriptive writing, and serious discussions. Avoid using it in overly casual or humorous contexts.

What is the difference between ""dreadful sight"" and "horrific scene"?

While both describe something extremely unpleasant, ""dreadful sight"" focuses on the visual aspect that inspires dread or fear, whereas "horrific scene" emphasizes the overall shocking and terrifying nature of the entire situation.