exceptionally stressful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exceptionally stressful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or experience that is extremely demanding or anxiety-inducing. Example: "The final exams were exceptionally stressful, leaving many students feeling overwhelmed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

She found the process of applying for the benefit exceptionally stressful, which caused a decline in her health.

The Guardian

Theoretical work and recent empirical evidence suggest that a robust reward system, in part, supports healthy adaptation by preserving positive emotions even under exceptionally stressful circumstances.

Psychoneuroendocrinology

The birth of a very preterm baby is often an exceptionally stressful and traumatic time for parents.

BMJ Open

Children's health status can fluctuate widely which can be exceptionally stressful for them yet also be a motivator for parental care efficacy.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The election was exceptionally partisan in Indiana, and Riley found the atmosphere of the campaign stressful; he vowed never to become involved with politics again.

Wikipedia

According to the ICD-10 guidelines, "the patient has been exposed to a stressful event or situation (either short- or long-lasting) of an exceptionally threatening or catastrophic nature, which is likely to cause pervasive distress in almost anyone" [ 35].

BMC Psychiatry

Sounds stressful.

The Guardian - Tech

Less stressful?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It is stressful, physically stressful.

The Guardian

Exceptionally still.

The New York Times - Books

Fairways are exceptionally narrow.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exceptionally stressful" to emphasize that a situation is significantly more stressful than usual. It adds a layer of intensity beyond simply "stressful".

Common error

While accurate, overuse of "exceptionally stressful" can diminish its impact. Consider varying your language with synonyms like "highly stressful" or "intensely stressful" to maintain reader engagement and prevent sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exceptionally stressful" functions as a compound adjective, modifying a noun to describe its stress-inducing quality. Ludwig AI confirms that it is used to intensify the level of stress associated with a situation or event.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exceptionally stressful" is a valid and grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize a high level of stress. As noted by Ludwig AI, it effectively conveys that a situation is considerably more stressful than usual. While predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, its formal tone makes it suitable for professional and academic use as well. Although synonyms like "highly stressful" or "extremely stressful" are available, "exceptionally stressful" adds a distinct layer of intensity, ensuring the gravity of the situation is well understood. Be mindful of overuse to preserve its impact and prevent repetition. Because only 4 exact matches were found, it's usage could be considered relatively rare.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceedingly stressful

Synonym for "exceptionally", maintaining a formal tone.

highly stressful

Replaces "exceptionally" with "highly", offering a slightly less intense but similar meaning.

extremely stressful

Substitutes "exceptionally" with "extremely", indicating a very high degree of stress.

intensely stressful

Replaces "exceptionally" with "intensely", emphasizing the strong and concentrated nature of the stress.

particularly stressful

Uses "particularly" instead of "exceptionally", highlighting that the situation is notably stressful compared to others.

unusually stressful

Emphasizes that the level of stress is beyond the norm.

incredibly stressful

Replaces "exceptionally" with "incredibly" to amplify the level of stress.

terribly stressful

Replaces "exceptionally" with "terribly", conveying a sense of severe stress.

overwhelmingly stressful

Implies that the level of stress is so high that it's difficult to manage.

exceptionally taxing

Shifts the focus from stress to the draining nature of the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "exceptionally stressful" in a sentence?

You can use "exceptionally stressful" to describe events or situations that cause a significant amount of stress. For example: "Applying for disability benefits was an "exceptionally stressful" process".

What are some alternatives to "exceptionally stressful"?

Alternatives include "highly stressful", "extremely stressful", or "intensely stressful". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "exceptionally stressful" formal or informal?

"Exceptionally stressful" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of your writing.

What makes something "exceptionally stressful" rather than just "stressful"?

The term "exceptionally" indicates a degree of stress that is significantly higher than normal. It implies that the situation is not only stressful but also unusually or remarkably so.