dreadful soul

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dreadful soul" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone perceived as having a terrible or unpleasant character or nature. Example: "Despite his charming exterior, many believed he was a dreadful soul, capable of great malice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Ed: "But we didn't think much of that other band sampling us, did we?" Tom: "Someone in Germany sent us this dreadful soul record which started with a snatch of Chemical Beats.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It was a dreadful, soul-sucking three months of coming home in a tomato-sauce-stained, red-and-black-checkered, polyester uniform smelling like raw pizza dough and trying to keep at bay the paralyzing, all-consuming fear that some beautiful girl I had gone to high school with would come in with her family and I'd be humiliated and exposed as the broken, flour-stained doughboy I'd become.

Huffington Post

His speech loudly denounced the former Republican Front and Conservative Alliance of Zimbabwe members who had gone over to the government, describing them as "dreadful souls screaming in agony".

Wikipedia

Nor the dreadful wine-bar soul of True, which was No 1 for four years between 1984 and 1988.

The Guardian - Music

Even Ayn Rand becomes a kind of role model as a divided soul whose dreadful writing, grasping personality and selfish values are partly redeemed by the scale of her ambition.

The New York Times - Books

"I can, for my part, think of no state so insupportable and dreadful, as to have the soul vivid and afflicted, without means to declare itself," Montaigne wrote, in his essay "De L'Exercitation," translated as "Use Makes Perfect".

The New Yorker

It seemed dreadful stuff enough to harm one's soul.

The New Yorker

Ruler of the world, God of the universe, Bless us with prayer and give our humble soul rest in this unbearable, dreadful hour.

Wikipedia

It is sad to walk through life and experience work as empty, dreadful, a chore sapping energy out of your body and soul.

University of California, Berkeley

It is sad to walk through life and experience work as empty, dreadful, a chore -- sapping energy out of your body and soul.

HuffPost

Until, periodically, a poor soul at the end of their tether takes some dreadful drastic step.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dreadful soul" when you want to express a strong negative judgment about someone's character or moral standing. It's more impactful than simply calling someone "bad" or "mean".

Common error

While "dreadful soul" can be effective, using it too often can sound melodramatic. Vary your language by using synonyms like "wretched soul" or "corrupted spirit" to maintain the impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dreadful soul" functions as a noun phrase where "dreadful" modifies "soul". It acts as a descriptor, attributing a negative quality to a person's inner being. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Academia

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dreadful soul" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to express strong disapproval of someone's character. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While relatively rare in usage, it's found in various contexts, including news media and wiki sources. The phrase effectively communicates a negative judgment, and while synonyms exist, "dreadful soul" provides a particularly emphatic condemnation. Be mindful of overuse to avoid sounding melodramatic. It's register tends to be somewhat formal, however it may be used in neutral situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wretched soul

Replaces "dreadful" with "wretched", emphasizing misery and despair associated with the soul.

miserable soul

Substitutes "dreadful" with "miserable", highlighting the unhappiness or suffering of the soul.

corrupted spirit

Emphasizes the moral decay or perversion of the person's inner being.

villainous character

Emphasizes the person's role as an antagonist or wrongdoer.

despicable character

Replaces "dreadful soul" with a more general term for a person with contemptible qualities.

evil-minded individual

Focuses on the malevolent thoughts and intentions of the person.

depraved being

Highlights the immorality and wickedness of the person.

unscrupulous individual

Highlights the person's lack of moral principles and willingness to act dishonestly.

dark-hearted person

Uses a figurative expression to describe someone with malicious intentions.

unpleasant individual

Offers a milder alternative, focusing on the person's disagreeable nature.

FAQs

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

You can use "dreadful soul" to describe someone you perceive as having a terrible character. For example, "Despite his charming exterior, many believed he was a "dreadful soul", capable of great malice."

What's a synonym for "dreadful soul"?

Alternatives include "wretched soul", "miserable soul", or "despicable character" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "dreadful soul" a formal or informal expression?

"Dreadful soul" leans towards a more literary or dramatic style, making it suitable for both writing and certain conversational contexts where a strong expression is warranted. However, consider less dramatic alternatives like "unpleasant individual" for everyday conversation.

What does it mean to call someone a "dreadful soul"?

Calling someone a "dreadful soul" suggests that they possess deeply unpleasant or morally reprehensible qualities. It implies a severe judgment of their character, indicating that they are considered to be exceptionally bad or evil.