utterly distressing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly distressing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that causes extreme emotional pain or anxiety. Example: "The news of the disaster was utterly distressing to everyone in the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A recent report by the Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools was utterly distressing on this front.

The New York Times

Co-adapted by Keneally and Schepisi, the film takes on a heightened impact: there is something utterly distressing about seeing the grisly crimes at the heart of it acted out on screen.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

And they were extremely distressing.

Wikipedia

Grindal said: "It was distressing.

Vice

She said it was "categorically untrue and profoundly distressing and utterly offensive on every level".

The Guardian

She said: "It is entirely and categorically untrue, also profoundly distressing and utterly offensive on every level.

Independent

She described the suggestion that she hated women as "categorically untrue and profoundly distressing and utterly offensive on every level".

The Guardian

Hunt responded that such claims were "entirely and categorically untrue, also profoundly distressing and utterly offensive on every level".

The Guardian

Hunt said the suggestion that she hated women as "categorically untrue and profoundly distressing and utterly offensive on every level".

The Guardian

Responding to this claim today, Hunt said it was "categorically untrue and profoundly distressing and utterly offensive on every level" to suggest she hated women.

The Guardian

In his capable hands, their distressing tale of marital woe becomes a fascinating psychological study of two people with complicated family pasts, trying to forge identities of their own — two people with utterly different views and experiences of history.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly distressing" to emphasize the extreme level of emotional or mental suffering caused by a situation or event. This phrase is effective when you want to convey a strong sense of negativity or discomfort.

Common error

Avoid using "utterly distressing" in informal or trivial situations. Its intensity can sound exaggerated or melodramatic if the context doesn't warrant such strong language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly distressing" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase. It modifies a noun, describing something as causing extreme emotional or mental suffering. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

8%

Reference

6%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "utterly distressing" is used to describe situations that cause significant emotional upset. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct but relatively rare. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, used to emphasize the severity of events. When using this phrase, consider the context to ensure it aligns with the intensity of the situation and avoid overuse in casual settings. Alternatives like "deeply upsetting" or "extremely disturbing" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different tones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deeply upsetting

Replaces "utterly" with "deeply" and "distressing" with "upsetting" maintaining a high degree of similarity.

extremely disturbing

Substitutes "distressing" with "disturbing" while using "extremely" instead of "utterly".

thoroughly unsettling

Uses "thoroughly" as an intensifier and "unsettling" as a substitute for "distressing".

profoundly disturbing

Replaces "utterly" with "profoundly" and maintains a formal tone, similar to the original.

incredibly upsetting

Employs "incredibly" to emphasize the degree of upset, changing the tone slightly.

intensely worrying

Focuses on the worry aspect of the distress, replacing the original adjective with one of similar impact.

exceptionally troubling

Highlights the troubling nature of the situation, emphasizing concern.

remarkably perturbing

Introduces a more formal and less common synonym for "distressing", altering the register.

absolutely mortifying

Changes the focus to mortification, indicating shame and embarrassment.

grievously heartbreaking

Emphasizes the emotional pain and sorrow caused by the situation, shifting the emotional focus.

FAQs

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

Use "utterly distressing" to describe events, news, or situations that cause significant emotional upset. For instance, "The news of the layoffs was "utterly distressing" to the entire team".

What are some alternatives to "utterly distressing"?

Depending on the context, consider using phrases like "deeply upsetting", "extremely disturbing", or "profoundly disturbing" as alternatives to "utterly distressing".

Is "utterly distressing" too strong for everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "utterly distressing" is quite intense. Reserve it for situations where you want to emphasize significant emotional discomfort or anxiety. In casual conversation, less intense phrases may be more appropriate.

What makes "utterly distressing" different from "slightly upsetting"?

"Utterly distressing" indicates a high degree of emotional pain and anxiety, while "slightly upsetting" suggests a minor emotional disturbance. The former is used for severe situations, the latter for mild ones.