sheer misery

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sheer misery" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an intense or overwhelming state of unhappiness or suffering. Example: "After the sudden loss of her job, she found herself in sheer misery, unable to see a way forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Levski Sofia's group stage campaign of 2006-07 took some beating for sheer misery.

The Guardian - Sport

Overconsumption backfires in every way, from obesity, to debt, to sheer misery.

The Guardian - Opinion

Without writing, he says, his head would have 'burst from sheer misery'.

The Guardian - Books

He said many disabled music fans didn't attend gigs because of the "sheer misery" of researching the layout of venues.

Independent

Horne takes a decidedly tongue-in-cheek approach to the end of days, reveling, like any good pessimist, in the sheer misery of it all.

The New Yorker

For him life is not merely a brief period of preparation for what is to come but an experience of sheer misery.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

And, of course, there's the sheer human misery caused by war, and the moral debt that incurs.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

And Americans face a level of unemployment, and sheer human misery, far worse than anything Japan went through.

The New York Times

What the figures do not convey is the sheer human misery of being unable to get legal advice.

The Guardian

Anger, guilt and sheer overwhelming misery fuel the next long phase of their own adolescences, which are overshadowed by the question: "why?" It is happening all too horribly often.

The Guardian - Books

The Microphones' The Glow 2 has been the best so far – I can't believe I had never heard it before, as it takes so many elements of things I love, like Do Make Say Think, Death Cab for Cutie, sheer, molten misery, and is probably one of the more affecting records I've heard all year.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sheer misery" to describe situations where the level of unhappiness or suffering is overwhelming and palpable. For example, "The refugees lived in sheer misery after losing their homes."

Common error

Avoid using "sheer misery" in everyday situations or for minor inconveniences. It's best reserved for instances of significant suffering to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sheer misery" functions as a noun phrase that describes a state of intense unhappiness or suffering. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

14%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sheer misery" effectively conveys a sense of overwhelming unhappiness or suffering. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in news and media, academic, and encyclopedic contexts. While its usage is appropriate in both formal and informal settings, it's most impactful when describing significant and profound distress. To avoid overuse, reserve "sheer misery" for situations where the suffering is truly intense. Consider alternatives like "unmitigated despair" or "utter wretchedness" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unmitigated despair

Replaces "sheer" with "unmitigated" and "misery" with "despair", intensifying the feeling of hopelessness.

utter wretchedness

Substitutes "sheer" with "utter" and "misery" with "wretchedness", emphasizing the state of being extremely unhappy.

absolute suffering

Replaces "sheer misery" with "absolute suffering", focusing on the experience of pain and distress.

profound anguish

Changes "sheer misery" to "profound anguish", highlighting deep sorrow and pain.

intense unhappiness

Replaces "sheer misery" with "intense unhappiness", a more direct and less dramatic expression of sadness.

complete desolation

Substitutes "sheer misery" with "complete desolation", emphasizing a state of emptiness and loss.

deep distress

Replaces "sheer misery" with "deep distress", focusing on a state of worry, pain, or suffering.

unadulterated sorrow

Substitutes "sheer" with "unadulterated" and "misery" with "sorrow", emphasizing pure sadness.

pure agony

Replaces "sheer misery" with "pure agony", which focuses on intense physical or mental suffering.

grievous suffering

Changes "sheer misery" to "grievous suffering", highlighting severe pain or distress.

FAQs

How can I use "sheer misery" in a sentence?

You can use "sheer misery" to describe a state of extreme unhappiness or suffering. For example, "The earthquake survivors faced "sheer misery" after losing everything."

What are some alternatives to "sheer misery"?

Alternatives include "unmitigated despair", "utter wretchedness", or "absolute suffering", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "sheer misery" a formal or informal expression?

"Sheer misery" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but it's more impactful in descriptive or narrative writing rather than casual conversation.

What's the difference between "sheer misery" and "unhappiness"?

"Sheer misery" implies a more intense and overwhelming state of suffering than general "unhappiness". "Unhappiness" can refer to a mild state of discontent, while "sheer misery" suggests profound and abject suffering.