profoundly disappointing

USAGE SUMMARY

"profoundly disappointing" is correct and usable in written English.
You might use this phrase when describing an event or experience that has left you feeling very dissatisfied or let down. For example, "The exam results were profoundly disappointing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Shale game A new green wave ReprintsThis is profoundly disappointing.

The Economist

Huang said his treatment by Australian authorities was "profoundly disappointing".

The Guardian

On some days especially it is so profoundly disappointing.

The New York Times

"I had some of my most profoundly disappointing moments in that election," he said.

The New York Times

It is profoundly disappointing if it lacks the courage and vision now to do so.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's profoundly disappointing, and, for once, I hope that no editor is listening to them.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Colin Hart, campaign director for the Coalition For Marriage, which opposes same-sex marriage, said: "The decision to press ahead with the profoundly undemocratic proposals to rewrite the traditional meaning of marriage is deeply disappointing and regrettable.

BBC

Or, to be fair to Brown and Ban, and tack on the adjectives they threw in, was it not only disappointing, but "profoundly" and "deeply" so?

Forbes

However, Cary Grant appears to be a profoundly practical man; after the disappointing box-office returns from "None but the Lonely Heart" (he did get an Academy Award nomination for it, but the award was given to Bing Crosby for "Going My Way"), he never tried anything except Cary Grant roles.

The New Yorker

The opening-night program on Tuesday featured three profoundly affecting repertory works, one sterling guest artist and one disappointing premiere.

The New York Times - Arts

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors have profoundly changed the management of CML by blocking Bcr-Abl, but results have thus been disappointing in AML associated with Flt3 or c-Kit mutations.

Handbook of Cell Signaling

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "profoundly disappointing" to convey a strong sense of disillusionment or letdown, especially when expectations were high. This phrase is suitable for formal writing and professional communication.

Common error

Avoid using "profoundly disappointing" in casual or informal conversations, as it can sound overly dramatic or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "really disappointing" or "a letdown" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "profoundly disappointing" functions as a compound adjective, modifying a noun to express a strong negative evaluation. According to Ludwig, it is correct and usable in written English. The adverb "profoundly" intensifies the adjective "disappointing", indicating a deep and significant level of dissatisfaction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "profoundly disappointing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for expressing intense disappointment. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in English writing. It is commonly found in news and media, but also appears in formal business and scientific contexts. When choosing an alternative consider slightly less intense options like "deeply disappointing", or emphasizing the completeness of the disappointment with "utterly disappointing". Remember to reserve this strong expression for situations where the level of disappointment is truly significant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deeply disappointing

A slightly less intense but very similar expression of disappointment.

utterly disappointing

Emphasizes the completeness of the disappointment.

extremely disappointing

Highlights the high degree of disappointment felt.

thoroughly disappointing

Indicates that every aspect was disappointing.

immensely disappointing

Stresses the large scale or impact of the disappointment.

keenly disappointing

Implies a sharp or intense feeling of disappointment.

seriously disappointing

Underlines the significant nature of the disappointment.

very disappointing

A general and common way to express disappointment.

greatly disappointing

Highlights the magnitude or extent of the disappointment.

acutely disappointing

Suggests a sharp and intense feeling of disappointment, often due to a specific realization.

FAQs

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

You can use "profoundly disappointing" to describe situations or outcomes that have caused significant disillusionment. For example, "The company's earnings report was "profoundly disappointing", leading to a sharp drop in stock prices."

What are some alternatives to "profoundly disappointing"?

Alternatives include "deeply disappointing", "utterly disappointing", or "extremely disappointing". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "profoundly disappointing" in everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "profoundly disappointing" may sound overly formal in casual conversations. Consider using simpler expressions like "really disappointing" or "very disappointing" for a more natural tone.

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

"Profoundly disappointing" conveys a much stronger sense of disillusionment and signifies a greater deviation from expectations than "slightly disappointing". The former suggests a significant negative impact, while the latter implies a minor setback.