terribly depressed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "terribly depressed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of extreme sadness or low mood. Example: "After hearing the news, she felt terribly depressed and struggled to find motivation for the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

"I think somewhere along the line probably Tony Hancock did an interview and claimed that he was terribly depressed, and that he was hiding his depression with comedy," he says.

The Guardian - Books

He must be terribly depressed.

The Guardian

"I was terribly depressed," he later said.

The New Yorker

"I'm terribly depressed," Dafoe reports the gloomy Dane saying.

The Guardian - Film

Nearly a year later, I still feel terribly depressed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I really needed someone to listen to me; I was terribly depressed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Remaining in the hotel with other television journalists, also living under death threats, was terribly depressing.

The New York Times

To see people spitting at those they disagree with politically – I find that all terribly depressing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

2.55pm: Terribly depressing news from Greater Manchester police, which reports that domestic abuse incidents shot up on the day England went out of the World Cup.

The Guardian - Sport

At times it was terribly depressing.

Science Magazine

It's terribly depressing.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "terribly depressed" to accurately convey a strong feeling of sadness and dejection, especially when describing a significant emotional impact or a more than temporary state.

Common error

Avoid using "terribly depressed" to describe fleeting moments of sadness. This phrase implies a deeper, more persistent state of emotional distress than a simple disappointment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "terribly depressed" functions as an adverb-adjective combination modifying a subject. The adverb "terribly" intensifies the adjective "depressed", indicating a severe degree of sadness or low mood. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "terribly depressed" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a state of intense sadness or hopelessness. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is usable in written English and is often found in contexts where individuals express or describe significant emotional distress. While alternatives like "deeply despondent" or "severely disheartened" exist, "terribly depressed" strikes a balance between formality and accessibility, making it suitable for a variety of situations. Remember to use this phrase accurately, reserving it for moments when describing genuine and significant emotional challenges rather than temporary sadness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deeply despondent

Replaces "terribly" with "deeply" and "depressed" with "despondent", suggesting a profound sense of hopelessness.

severely disheartened

Uses "severely" in place of "terribly" to intensify the feeling of being disheartened.

extremely dejected

Employs "extremely" to amplify the feeling of dejection, indicating a significant drop in spirits.

profoundly saddened

Replaces "depressed" with "saddened" and "terribly" with "profoundly", focusing more on sadness than clinical depression.

utterly crushed

Emphasizes a feeling of being overwhelmed and emotionally broken, suggesting a more intense emotional impact.

inconsolably sad

Highlights a sadness that cannot be comforted, emphasizing the depth of the emotional distress.

overwhelmed with despair

Focuses on the feeling of being overcome by hopelessness and loss of motivation.

gravely unhappy

Indicates a serious state of unhappiness, suggesting a heavy emotional burden.

feeling very low

A more informal way to describe a state of depression, indicating a lack of energy and motivation.

down in the dumps

An idiomatic expression indicating a temporary state of sadness or low spirits.

FAQs

How can I use "terribly depressed" in a sentence?

You can use "terribly depressed" to describe someone experiencing a profound sense of sadness or hopelessness. For example, "After the loss, he felt "terribly depressed" and struggled to find joy in anything".

What are some alternatives to saying "terribly depressed"?

Alternatives include "deeply despondent", "severely disheartened", or "profoundly saddened", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "terribly depressed" in formal writing?

Yes, "terribly depressed" can be used in formal writing when accurately describing a severe state of depression. However, be mindful of the context and audience, and consider whether a more clinical term might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between feeling "terribly depressed" and just feeling "sad"?

Feeling "terribly depressed" suggests a more intense and prolonged state of emotional distress than simply feeling "sad". It implies a deeper level of hopelessness and a significant impact on one's ability to function.