utterly spooked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly spooked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is extremely frightened or unsettled by something. Example: "After watching the horror movie, I was utterly spooked and couldn't sleep that night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I had to read it in two sittings because I was so utterly spooked.

The Guardian

While Eliaquim Mangala, so assured against Chelsea, has looked utterly spooked in the last few weeks.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Martha accepts the offer to upgrade Ash to a lifelike robot, which turns out to be a polite, obedient partner who's never too tired for sex and who utterly spooks his "administrator" Martha – "Ash" doesn't breathe, eat or close his eyes.

Independent

His quarry spooked.

The New York Times

And that spooked me.

The New York Times

Mr. Chamberlain sounded spooked.

The New York Times

Walmart seems uncharacteristically spooked.

The Economist

The results spooked investors.

The New York Times

That spooked investors further.

The Economist

Cops spooked her".

The New Yorker

"It certainly spooked investors".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly spooked" to describe a state of being very frightened, often by something unsettling or supernatural. This phrase adds a layer of intensity beyond simply being scared.

Common error

Avoid using "utterly spooked" in highly formal or professional writing. While acceptable in news and media, it may sound too informal or colloquial for academic papers or business reports. Opt for alternatives like "completely terrified" or "profoundly disturbed" in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly spooked" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, where "utterly" intensifies the adjective "spooked". This construction denotes a heightened state of fear or unease. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable in written English and it can be used to describe someone who is extremely frightened or unsettled by something.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "utterly spooked" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a significant degree of fear or unease. While considered correct by Ludwig AI, its usage is relatively rare and leans towards a neutral or informal register, as it's predominantly found in news and media contexts. For more formal settings, alternatives like "completely terrified" or "profoundly disturbed" might be more appropriate. Keep in mind that the examples are scarce and it's hard to determine all contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seriously spooked

Maintains the "spooked" element but with a different intensifier.

completely terrified

Emphasizes a higher degree of fear than "utterly spooked".

absolutely frightened

Similar in intensity but may imply a more sudden fear.

tremendously scared

Highlights the magnitude of fear experienced.

deeply frightened

Implies a profound sense of fear that lingers.

totally unnerved

Focuses more on the loss of composure rather than just fear.

entirely alarmed

Indicates a sense of sudden fear or concern.

thoroughly scared

A more common and less intense alternative.

very frightened

A simple and straightforward alternative.

genuinely afraid

A more direct and less nuanced expression of fear.

FAQs

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

You can use "utterly spooked" to describe a situation where someone is extremely frightened or unsettled, for example: "After the horror movie, I was "utterly spooked" and couldn't sleep."

What's a more formal way to say "utterly spooked"?

For more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "completely terrified", "deeply disturbed", or "profoundly frightened" instead of "utterly spooked".

Is "utterly spooked" appropriate for business writing?

While understandable, "utterly spooked" may be too informal for most business writing. Opt for more professional alternatives like "highly concerned" or "extremely worried" depending on the context.

What are some synonyms for "utterly spooked" that still convey a sense of unease?

Alternatives that maintain a sense of unease include "totally unnerved", "genuinely afraid", or "entirely alarmed". These options capture the feeling of being unsettled without necessarily implying intense fear.