sounds dismal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sounds dismal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that appears bleak, gloomy, or unpromising, often in relation to a situation or outcome. Example: "The forecast for the economy next year sounds dismal, with predictions of a recession looming."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

If fighting the crowds at Rome's Coliseum sounds dismal, head east for farther-flung examples of the Romans' grandiose empire.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"They had brought in four men from the Dunelm Singers to sing the song but then decided they wanted someone who could sound dismal and unhappy..

The Guardian

Mock admits that the situation may sound dismal, at least at the moment.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Sound dismal?

WikiHow

Sounds pretty dismal, doesn't it?

Huffington Post

Though this surely makes the enterprise sound entirely dismal, the Masterpiece Classic series (beginning on Sunday on PBS) works tirelessly to squelch the overgrowth of its bleak roots.

The New York Times - Arts

Sound separation in most portable Bluetooth speakers is dismal as it is, so they're hardly "stereo" anyways.

TechCrunch

So what possessed the Nobel committee to honour a subject that sounds so thoroughly dismal?

The Economist

Sounds like a dismal election with some serious upside….

Vice

This might sound like a dismal statistic, but it's also an opportunity – a valuable benchmark from which we can now improve.

The Guardian

Because rain doesn't actually call off work — unless you happen to be Andy Murray or a cricketer — we decided to be productive and put together a list of ten dance records that actually sound better on dismal days like these.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for a more empathetic tone, consider using "sounds sad" or "sounds depressing" as alternative that directly relate to emotional implications. However "sounds dismal" is more suitable to express a judgement based on a general estimation of the facts.

Common error

While "sounds dismal" is generally acceptable, it might be perceived as too informal in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for alternatives like "appears unfavorable" or "presents a pessimistic outlook" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sounds dismal" functions as a descriptive expression, characterizing something as negative or unpromising. As Ludwig AI correctly points out, the phrase implies a pessimistic outlook based on the information available.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

22%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sounds dismal" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that appears bleak or unpromising. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, though possibly too informal for academic writing. When aiming for a more formal or nuanced tone, consider alternatives like "seems bleak" or "appears grim". Remember to reserve "sounds dismal" for situations where you want to convey a pessimistic impression based on readily available information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems bleak

Focuses on the appearance of a situation being unfavorable.

appears grim

Highlights the severity and lack of hope in a situation.

looks discouraging

Emphasizes the loss of hope or motivation.

feels hopeless

Centers on the emotional sense of despair associated with a situation.

rings hollow

Indicates a lack of sincerity or substance.

portends poorly

Suggests a negative future outcome based on current signs.

augurs badly

Similar to 'portends poorly', but with a slightly more formal tone.

bodes ill

Indicates that something bad is likely to happen.

is unpromising

Highlights the lack of potential or positive prospects.

is disheartening

Emphasizes the reduction of enthusiasm and confidence.

FAQs

What does "sounds dismal" mean?

The phrase "sounds dismal" means something appears bleak, gloomy, or unpromising. It expresses a negative impression based on available information.

How can I use "sounds dismal" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a forecast, a situation, or prospects. For example: "The economic forecast for next year sounds dismal".

What can I say instead of "sounds dismal"?

You can use alternatives like "seems bleak", "appears grim", or "looks discouraging" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "sounds dismal" or "sound dismal"?

"Sounds dismal" is the correct form. "Sound dismal" without the 's' is grammatically incorrect in most contexts, unless part of a different grammatical construction.