keenly disappointing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keenly disappointing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong sense of disappointment regarding a situation or outcome. Example: "The movie was keenly disappointing, failing to meet the high expectations set by the reviews."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He had no watchmaker friends at all.So it was no surprise to him, though keenly disappointing, that the Swiss watchmaking industry was neither eager to look at the co-axial escapement, nor able to understand it.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The result is a lumpy, disappointing book: at times, gripping and keenly observed, but more often strangely implausible and contrived.

The New York Times - Books

Laugh, I plead silently, keenly aware of all these people needing something from him and feeling curiously as if I myself am disappointing them.

The New York Times

Individual freedoms are more keenly demanded.

The Economist

Lou listens keenly, without interrupting.

The New Yorker

The dancers look keenly motivated throughout.

The New York Times

They keenly followed Malala's progress.

Independent

This he feels especially keenly.

The Economist

"Disappointing, very disappointing".

The New York Times

Truly disappointing".

Independent

Amazingly, Matt keenly accepted.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "keenly disappointing" with alternatives like "deeply disappointing" or "profoundly disappointing" if you want to maintain a formal tone while using more common phrasing.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "keenly disappointing" leans towards a formal register. In casual conversation or informal writing, consider using phrases like "really disappointing" or "a big letdown" for a more natural feel.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keenly disappointing" primarily functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes the extent and nature of the disappointment felt. Ludwig examples show its use in contexts where expectations were significantly unmet.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keenly disappointing" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase used to express a strong sense of disappointment. Ludwig's analysis, together with the search results, indicates that it is more suited to formal contexts, often appearing in news and media. While not as common as simpler alternatives, its precision and intensity make it a valuable option for conveying a significant level of dissatisfaction. Remember to consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing when deciding whether to use this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deeply disappointing

Replaces "keenly" with "deeply", emphasizing the profound nature of the disappointment.

profoundly disappointing

Substitutes "keenly" with "profoundly", highlighting the significant depth of disappointment.

bitterly disappointing

Replaces "keenly" with "bitterly", adding a nuance of resentment or regret to the disappointment.

sorely disappointing

Uses "sorely" instead of "keenly", suggesting the disappointment is a source of pain or sadness.

sharply disappointing

Replaces "keenly" with "sharply", indicating a sudden and intense feeling of disappointment.

acutely disappointing

Substitutes "keenly" with "acutely", emphasizing the sharp and intense nature of the disappointment.

hugely disappointing

Replaces "keenly" with "hugely", focusing on the magnitude or extent of the disappointment.

extremely disappointing

Uses "extremely" instead of "keenly", highlighting the intensity of the disappointment.

particularly disappointing

Substitutes "keenly" with "particularly", emphasizing a specific aspect of the disappointment.

sadly disappointing

Replaces "keenly" with "sadly", adding a tone of sorrow or regret to the disappointment.

FAQs

How can I use "keenly disappointing" in a sentence?

You can use "keenly disappointing" to describe something that strongly fails to meet expectations. For example, "The movie was "keenly disappointing", given the director's previous successes."

What are some alternatives to "keenly disappointing"?

Some alternatives include "deeply disappointing", "profoundly disappointing", or "bitterly disappointing", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "keenly disappointing" a formal expression?

Yes, "keenly disappointing" is more formal than alternatives like "really disappointing" or "a big letdown". It is suitable for formal writing and speech.

What makes "keenly disappointing" different from "slightly disappointing"?

"Keenly disappointing" implies a stronger and more intense feeling of disappointment compared to "slightly disappointing", which suggests a milder level of dissatisfaction.