utterly miserable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly miserable" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an adverb-adjective combination that conveys a strong feeling of complete sadness or despair. Example: After losing his job and all of his savings in a failed business venture, John felt utterly miserable.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Film

Books

Lifestyle

Sport

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It was utterly miserable".

The Guardian - Film

He looked utterly miserable.

The Guardian - Sport

I feel utterly miserable.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Joe was making her life utterly miserable".

The New Yorker

I was 12 years old and utterly miserable.

The New York Times - Books

Chad-the-bully, who makes Marshall's life utterly miserable.

The Guardian

"My PhD was an utterly miserable experience," Ashcroft says.

The Guardian

And life was extreme – either ecstatically happy or utterly miserable.

The Guardian - Film

I am utterly miserable at seeing months of work and thought negated in one hasty week.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Lesbos makeshift camp 'utterly miserable' Jump to media player Thousands of migrants and refugees have travelled to the Greek Island of Lesbos, in the hope of journeying on to Athens and northern and western Europe.

BBC

I woke up—still utterly miserable but without a headache and without sickness.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add nuance, consider replacing "utterly" with synonyms like "completely", "totally", or "absolutely", depending on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey.

Common error

While "utterly miserable" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in formal writing where a more nuanced or sophisticated expression of unhappiness might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "deeply saddened" or "profoundly disappointed" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

Function: The phrase "utterly miserable" functions as an adverb-adjective combination. The adverb "utterly" intensifies the adjective "miserable", emphasizing the depth and completeness of the feeling. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Books

15%

Film

10%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Sport

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "utterly miserable" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a profound sense of unhappiness or despair. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as in literary works to convey strong emotions. While highly effective in expressing negative feelings, it is advisable to use it judiciously in more formal or scientific writing where a more nuanced expression might be more suitable. Consider alternatives such as "completely dejected" or "thoroughly unhappy" to subtly adjust the meaning based on the context. To enhance your writing skills and learn to differentiate each alternative consider all the practical tips discussed above.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Thoroughly unhappy

Focuses on the overall lack of happiness or contentment.

Totally wretched

Emphasizes the depth of the suffering or misfortune.

Completely dejected

Implies a total loss of hope and spirits.

Extremely disheartened

Highlights the loss of enthusiasm or motivation.

Absolutely devastated

Suggests a complete and overwhelming sense of loss or ruin.

Deeply saddened

Focuses on the emotion of sadness, potentially as a reaction to grief.

Profoundly sorrowful

Highlights a deep and intense feeling of sorrow.

Incredibly depressed

Indicates a state of clinical depression, a more severe condition.

Unreservedly crestfallen

Indicates complete disappointment and sadness.

Eternally glum

Implies chronic and persistent gloominess.

FAQs

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

You can use "utterly miserable" to describe a state of extreme unhappiness. For example, "After the breakup, she felt "utterly miserable"".

What are some alternatives to "utterly miserable"?

You can use alternatives like "completely dejected", "thoroughly unhappy", or "totally wretched" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "utterly miserable" or "completely miserable"?

Both "utterly miserable" and "completely miserable" are correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations, where "utterly" might emphasize a stronger emotional state.

What's the difference between "utterly miserable" and "slightly miserable"?

"Utterly miserable" implies a profound state of unhappiness, whereas "slightly miserable" suggests a mild level of discomfort or sadness. The word "utterly" intensifies the feeling, indicating a much stronger negative experience.