utterly discouraged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly discouraged" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a strong feeling of disappointment or hopelessness in various contexts, such as personal experiences or professional situations. Example: "After receiving the rejection letter, I felt utterly discouraged about my chances of getting into my dream school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Although Sainte-Hélène was mortally wounded, 150 of the attackers had been killed in action, and were utterly discouraged.

Wikipedia

"I just felt belittled, crushed and utterly discouraged," Williams told the news network.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Attempting to keep from falling into "the bottomless pit of an utterly discouraging pessimism," Shaw wrote five linked plays under the collective title Back to Methuselah (1922).

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1896 she told The Evening Telegram that she had found her effort "utterly discouraging" and wished that fashionable women could see "the hunter who rips the plumes from the poor half-killed" herons, egrets and other birds.

The New York Times

Though it's encouraging that the Chinese government is recognizing the importance of a strong civil society and culture, it's utterly discouraging to see how unwilling it is to allow Chinese society to do the job itself.

The New York Times

He discouraged them from creating an utterly open space.

The New York Times

However, suicide was discouraged under the strictures of Hollywood's Production Code, which governed what could be depicted in movies, and the film ended with Lina's suspicions about Johnnie's character proving utterly groundless.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Discouraging news for an already discouraged workforce.

The Economist

How discouraging.

The New York Times

Never discourage.

WikiHow

Utterly ridiculous.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly discouraged" when you want to emphasize a deep sense of disappointment that severely impacts one's motivation and outlook.

Common error

Avoid using "utterly discouraged" in overly casual settings. Simpler words like "sad" or "bummed out" might be more appropriate in informal conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly discouraged" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, describing a state of extreme disappointment or loss of hope. As Ludwig AI suggests, it expresses a strong feeling.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "utterly discouraged" effectively conveys a strong feeling of disappointment or hopelessness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and usable, though not very common. It is most often used in news and media contexts. When writing, consider the intensity you want to convey and whether a simpler or more nuanced phrase might be more appropriate. Remember to avoid overuse in casual contexts and use other alternatives like "completely disheartened" or "totally demoralized" when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely discouraged

This alternative replaces 'utterly' with 'completely', reducing intensity slightly.

utterly demoralized

This alternative uses 'demoralized' instead of 'discouraged'.

totally disheartened

Uses 'totally' instead of 'utterly', implying a strong degree of discouragement.

completely disheartened

This alternative emphasizes the loss of spirit or enthusiasm.

entirely disheartened

Similar to completely disheartened, but with a slightly different emphasis.

totally demoralized

This alternative highlights the destruction of morale or confidence.

absolutely crestfallen

This alternative suggests deep sadness and disappointment.

thoroughly dispirited

This alternative focuses on a loss of hope and energy.

wholly dejected

This alternative implies a state of being cast down in spirits.

profoundly disillusioned

Highlights the feeling of disappointment resulting from discovering something is not as good as once believed.

FAQs

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

You can use "utterly discouraged" to describe a strong feeling of disappointment, like: "After the repeated rejections, she felt "utterly discouraged" about her job search."

What's a less formal alternative to "utterly discouraged"?

Less formal alternatives include "really bummed out", "totally bummed out", or "pretty disheartened". These options are suitable for casual conversation.

When is it appropriate to use "utterly discouraged"?

"Utterly discouraged" is best used when conveying a significant loss of hope or motivation due to a specific event or situation. It suggests a deeper emotional impact than simply "discouraged".

What can I say instead of "utterly discouraged"?

You can use alternatives like "completely disheartened", "totally demoralized", or "absolutely crestfallen" depending on the context.