utterly shocked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly shocked" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a strong feeling of surprise or disbelief in response to an unexpected event or information. Example: "When she heard the news of the accident, she was utterly shocked and couldn't find the words to respond."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Utterly shocked".

The Guardian

"I was utterly shocked," he recalled.

The New York Times

Today I was utterly shocked to hear of Tom's passing.

Stanford University

The Clinton campaign acted utterly shocked by this possible revelation.

The New Yorker

"I was utterly shocked by what I read.

The New Yorker

"But I was utterly shocked at how fun it was once I got started.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Just utterly shocking.

The Guardian - Books

The frequency of rape is utterly shocking.

The New York Times - Magazine

To have taken it to that degree was utterly shocking.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

However, when the reaction against them starts, the way it plays out seems both natural and utterly shocking.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"I have done nothing more than speak to a source, without confirming or denying who that source is, and to criminalize that is utterly shocking.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly shocked" to express a strong emotional reaction of surprise or disbelief. This phrase is effective when conveying the intensity of your feelings about something unexpected.

Common error

Avoid using "utterly shocked" when a simpler expression of surprise would suffice. Overusing strong language can diminish its impact when describing truly shocking events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly shocked" functions as an adjectival phrase, where 'utterly' modifies 'shocked' to intensify the feeling of surprise or disbelief. Ludwig examples show it describing reactions to unexpected news, events, or revelations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Science

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "utterly shocked" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively conveys a strong sense of surprise and disbelief. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage spans various contexts, primarily within news and media, academia, and formal business settings. While versatile, be mindful of overusing it in mild situations to preserve its impact. Alternatives like "completely stunned" or "totally astonished" offer nuanced variations in meaning. The phrase maintains a neutral register, suitable for a wide range of communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely stunned

Emphasizes a state of speechlessness and bewilderment. It's less about the initial emotion and more about the incapacitating effect.

totally astonished

Highlights a sense of great surprise and wonder, often used when encountering something remarkable or unexpected.

absolutely flabbergasted

Indicates extreme surprise and bewilderment, implying a temporary loss of composure.

dumbfounded beyond words

Focuses on the inability to speak due to overwhelming shock or surprise.

taken completely by surprise

Highlights the unexpectedness of an event, leading to shock.

speechless with surprise

Emphasizes the inability to speak as a result of being shocked.

in utter disbelief

Focuses on the inability to accept something as true, stemming from shock.

aghast and dismayed

Highlights a combination of shock and disapproval or disappointment.

appalled and horrified

Highlights a strong negative reaction of shock combined with disgust or fear.

deeply shaken

Emphasizes the emotional impact and disturbance caused by the shocking event.

FAQs

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

You can use "utterly shocked" to describe a strong feeling of surprise or disbelief. For example, "I was utterly shocked by the news" or "She seemed utterly shocked by the question".

What can I say instead of "utterly shocked"?

You can use alternatives like "completely stunned", "totally astonished", or "absolutely flabbergasted" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "utterly shocked" or "completely shocked"?

Both "utterly shocked" and "completely shocked" are acceptable. "Utterly" emphasizes the intensity of the shock more than "completely" does.

What is the difference between "utterly shocked" and "utterly horrified"?

"Utterly shocked" implies a strong sense of surprise and disbelief, while "utterly horrified" suggests a strong feeling of fear, disgust, or revulsion. The former focuses on surprise, the latter on a negative emotional reaction.