utterly depressing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly depressing" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to express something that is so depressing that there is no hope or relief. For example, "The news of his death was utterly depressing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

It was utterly depressing.

The New York Times

How utterly depressing.

The New York Times - Magazine

He finds the philistinism among fellow Muslims utterly depressing.

The Guardian

I find the declining use of back-country areas of national parks utterly depressing.

The New York Times

Biggest disappointment The violence around the England v Russia game was utterly depressing.

The Guardian - Sport

And our denouements are utterly depressing - we never let the good girls get away.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

I could've been sitting in my room utterly depressed for a whole month".

The Guardian - Sport

Growing up, portrayals of trans people on telly utterly depressed me.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He was unable to hold a permanent job, he said, because of bipolar disorder, which causes him to feel elated one minute and utterly depressed the next.

The New York Times

Alf Dubs, who was brought to Britain as part of the Kindertransport scheme in 1939, said he feels "utterly depressed by the lack of progress" almost three months after the government's clear commitment to help child refugees travelling alone in Europe to find shelter in the UK.

The Guardian

Stanton Sheetz shuddered a few weeks ago when he heard news reports of how contaminated spinach had made 200 people sick, causing a nationwide food panic that would have utterly depressed Popeye.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly depressing" to emphasize the severity of a negative situation or feeling. It adds a strong sense of hopelessness and bleakness, making your writing more impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "utterly depressing" in overly casual or lighthearted contexts, as it can sound melodramatic or insincere. Reserve it for situations where the depth of sadness is genuinely significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly depressing" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something that causes a feeling of extreme sadness and hopelessness. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in describing events, situations, and personal feelings.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

92%

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "utterly depressing" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjective phrase that effectively communicates a strong feeling of sadness and hopelessness. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous real-world examples from sources such as The Guardian and The New York Times. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, and while versatile, should be used judiciously to avoid overuse in casual settings. Alternatives like "deeply discouraging" or "profoundly saddening" can offer nuanced variations of the same sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

truly depressing

Focuses more directly on the experience of sadness.

utterly hopeless

Shares "utterly" but focuses on the lack of possibility for positive change.

profoundly saddening

Emphasizes the depth of the sadness experienced.

incredibly disheartening

Highlights the loss of spirit or enthusiasm that something causes.

genuinely disheartening

Emphasizes the authenticity and sincerity of the discouragement felt.

deeply discouraging

Focuses on the discouraging aspect, implying something is causing a loss of hope.

completely crushing

Indicates total devastation in feelings, a strong sense of being emotionally flattened.

thoroughly demoralizing

Emphasizes the reduction of morale and confidence.

absolutely crushing

Conveys a sense of being overwhelmed and defeated by sadness.

exceedingly bleak

Focuses on the lack of hopefulness or positive prospects.

FAQs

What does "utterly depressing" mean?

The phrase "utterly depressing" describes something that is extremely sad and causes a strong feeling of hopelessness. It emphasizes the depth and intensity of the sadness.

How can I use "utterly depressing" in a sentence?

You can use "utterly depressing" to describe situations, news, or even personal experiences. For example, "The news about the environmental disaster was "utterly depressing"" or "I found the ending of the movie "utterly depressing"".

What can I say instead of "utterly depressing"?

You can use alternatives like "deeply discouraging", "profoundly saddening", or "utterly hopeless" to convey a similar meaning, depending on the specific nuance you want to express.

Is there a difference between "utterly depressing" and "slightly depressing"?

"Utterly depressing" indicates a very strong feeling of sadness and hopelessness, while "slightly depressing" suggests a milder, less intense feeling of sadness. The choice depends on the degree of emotion you want to convey.