utterly stunned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly stunned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong feeling of shock or amazement in response to an unexpected event or information. Example: "When she heard the news of her promotion, she was utterly stunned and could hardly find the words to respond."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

We stood in the chilly hall, utterly stunned.

The New York Times

"I was utterly stunned by the level of vitriol.

The Guardian - Books

Phillip Schofield tweeted: "Utterly stunned at the terrible news of the death of Peaches Geldof!

Independent

Mr. Al-Adahi's lawyer, John Chandler, pronounced himself "utterly stunned" at the ruling.

The New York Times

We were utterly stunned by the mountains and snow-peaked vistas in southern Africa.

The Guardian - Travel

I was utterly stunned at what on earth had gone on.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

I am stunned, utterly disappointed and dismayed".

The New York Times

The music sounds utterly unprecedented (one stunned veteran world music commentator described it as "the wildest music I've ever heard from Africa") and oddly familiar.

The Guardian - Music

The joke utterly died in performance, which stunned Lorre and his writers.

The New Yorker

The description of the Blitz and the devastation it causes is utterly believable: this is Ursula, stunned (or killed?) by the shockwave of a bomb: "Her name was Susie, apparently.

The Guardian - Books

Simultaneously, we were stunned by Usain Bolt's utterly impossible speed and marveled and respected China's jaw-dropping opening ceremonies.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly stunned" to convey a strong emotional response of shock, disbelief, or amazement, particularly when the event or information is unexpected and impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "utterly stunned" to describe minor surprises or insignificant events. The phrase carries a strong emotional weight and is best reserved for situations that genuinely evoke a profound sense of shock or disbelief.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly stunned" functions as an intensifier (utterly) modifying an adjective (stunned). Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English to express a strong feeling of shock or amazement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "utterly stunned" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that effectively communicates a strong sense of shock, amazement, or disbelief. As Ludwig AI indicates, this expression appears most frequently in News & Media contexts. While it is deemed appropriate for neutral registers, it is important to reserve this impactful phrase for truly significant surprises and avoid overuse in milder situations. Related phrases include "completely shocked", "totally amazed", and "absolutely astonished", offering alternative ways to express similar sentiments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in utter disbelief

Focuses on the inability to accept something as true or real.

completely shocked

Emphasizes the feeling of shock without necessarily implying bewilderment.

absolutely astonished

Stresses the high degree of surprise and bewilderment.

completely taken aback

Indicates a sudden surprise that causes someone to be momentarily disoriented.

totally amazed

Highlights the feeling of amazement and wonder, rather than shock.

dumbfounded

Emphasizes the state of being unable to speak because of surprise or confusion.

flabbergasted

Suggests a state of extreme surprise and bewilderment, often humorous.

thoroughly surprised

Focuses on the unexpected nature of the event or information.

speechless with surprise

Highlights the inability to speak due to the intensity of the surprise.

awestruck

Indicates a feeling of reverence and amazement, often in response to something impressive.

FAQs

What does "utterly stunned" mean?

The phrase "utterly stunned" means completely shocked, amazed, or bewildered, usually by something unexpected or surprising.

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

You can use "utterly stunned" to describe someone's reaction to surprising news or an unexpected event. For example: "I was "completely shocked" by the announcement".

What are some synonyms for "utterly stunned"?

Some synonyms for "utterly stunned" include "completely shocked", "totally amazed", "absolutely astonished", or "dumbfounded".

When is it appropriate to use "utterly stunned"?

It's appropriate to use "utterly stunned" when you want to emphasize the intensity of someone's shock, amazement, or disbelief. It's best used for significant surprises or unexpected events, and less suitable for describing minor surprises.