utter disappointment

USAGE SUMMARY

"utter disappointment" is a phrase that is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a feeling of total disappointment about a situation or event. For example: "When I failed my driving test, I felt utter disappointment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

The utter disappointment when you don't.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"An utter disappointment and abysmal failure" (Orange County Web Design Blog).

The New York Times - Tech

True, this is an utter disappointment, considering that we were both playoff teams from a year ago.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Meanwhile, the teams they were chasing -- Atlanta, Philadelphia and the Marlins -- voiced utter disappointment that they were not further ahead.

The New York Times - Sports

Aldo lay in complete shock and utter disappointment as McGregor stormed around the ring as the new champion, waving the Irish flag aloft.

Independent

Anita Pratap, another prominent Indian journalist who met him around the same time, put it this way: "My first impression was that of utter disappointment.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

As I tore off the paper, however, that excitement became utter confusion, disappointment, and downright sadness as the package within revealed itself not to be a dinosaur, but an Easy Bake oven.

The New York Times

The night I saw the play, five black colleagues expressed utter rage and disappointment.

Huffington Post

So, as a loyal fan of a team so used to winning, you can imagine my utter shock and disappointment at seeing the Patriots lose their home opener to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, 20-18.

Huffington Post

Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra called the all-or-nothing game "a treasure" — a euphemism to conceal the disappointment and utter disarray of his star-studded lineup.

The New York Times - Sports

Palm Beach County School Board Vice-Chair Debra Robinson tells the Post that she's "somewhere between complete and utter disgust and anger and disappointment with humanity". Florida officials, however, say the opposite, noting that the standards are meant to acknowledge current performance and make a plan for improvement.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "utter disappointment", ensure the context clearly establishes what caused the disappointment. Be specific to amplify the impact.

Common error

Avoid using "utter disappointment" too frequently, as it can diminish its impact. Reserve it for situations where the disappointment is truly profound and significant, not for minor inconveniences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utter disappointment" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "utter" intensifies the noun "disappointment". It describes the state of feeling extremely let down. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in conveying strong negative emotions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "utter disappointment" is a phrase used to express a strong feeling of disillusionment or dissatisfaction. Grammatically correct and commonly found in News & Media and Academia contexts. While the phrase is generally appropriate, as Ludwig AI confirms, it's essential to use it judiciously, reserving it for situations that genuinely warrant such a strong expression. Alternatives like "complete letdown" or "deep dissatisfaction" might be suitable for milder situations. When used effectively, "utter disappointment" powerfully conveys the depth of one's negative emotions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

total disillusion

Is very similar, changes menta state into a feeling.

absolute anticlimax

Is very similar, with an increased emphasize on the climax.

complete letdown

Replaces "utter disappointment" with a more informal expression emphasizing failure to meet expectations.

deep dissatisfaction

Focuses on the feeling of unhappiness and unmet needs or expectations.

profound disillusionment

Indicates a deeper sense of disappointment, often associated with lost ideals or beliefs.

severe frustration

Shifts the emphasis to the feeling of being blocked or hindered, leading to disappointment.

crushing anticlimax

Highlights the sharp contrast between anticipation and the disappointing reality.

heartbreaking setback

Emphasizes the emotional impact of the disappointment, portraying it as a significant loss.

bitter regret

Suggests disappointment combined with a sense of missed opportunities or wrong choices.

unmitigated failure

Replaces the emotional term of disappointment with a more assertive one of failure.

FAQs

How can I use "utter disappointment" in a sentence?

You can use "utter disappointment" to express a strong feeling of disillusionment or dissatisfaction. For example, "The cancellation of the event filled me with "utter disappointment"".

What phrases are similar to "utter disappointment"?

Similar phrases include "complete letdown", "profound disillusionment", or "deep dissatisfaction", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "utter disappointment" and "slight disappointment"?

"Utter disappointment" indicates a much stronger and more profound sense of disillusionment than "slight disappointment", which suggests a minor degree of dissatisfaction.

When is it appropriate to use "utter disappointment" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "utter disappointment" when you want to convey a significant degree of dissatisfaction or disillusionment resulting from a particular event or situation. Make sure the situation warrants such a strong expression.