utterly unhappy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly unhappy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a deep or complete state of unhappiness. Example: "After hearing the news, she felt utterly unhappy and couldn't shake off the feeling for days."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It is one of the many poignant ironies of this remarkable book that Deng survives Sudan only to find himself utterly unhappy in America, constantly doubting his own existence.

The Guardian - Books

If you don't listen to your guts that are trying to tell you what to do, you will be utterly unhappy.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

They seem utterly alone and unhappy.

The Guardian - Arts

She's angry, unhappy and utterly ashamed – she feels she has let her son down.

The Guardian - Opinion

Scaggs looks as if he's at the tail end of one very, very unhappy bender, his chill utterly frightening.

The New York Times - Arts

Not surprising, then, that Fitzgerald was pretty unhappy in Hollywood and utterly out of step with the demands of the screenwriting jobs he had taken.

The New Yorker

The hero, Cristi (Dragos Bucur), a thirtyish plainclothes police detective, utterly dedicated to his job, is unhappy about putting kids away for possession, which isn't even a crime in nearby European states.

The New Yorker

Some, though, are utterly silent when they're switched off, which is an unhappy surprise.

The New York Times - Tech

No one knows for sure, but one theory is that some Chinese officials are unhappy that Apple's operating system and Google's Android utterly dominate the smartphone sector.

The Economist

They looked scruffy and utterly human, as was appropriate to a group-therapy-session of a musical in which all unhappy dancers confessed their frailties.

The New York Times

Utterly glorious.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly unhappy" to emphasize the depth of someone's unhappiness, suggesting a complete lack of joy or satisfaction in their life. This phrase is effective when describing a character's internal state in literature or a person's reaction to devastating news.

Common error

Avoid using "utterly unhappy" in everyday conversation or informal writing. The intensity of the phrase may sound overdramatic or insincere in less serious situations. Opt for milder expressions like "a bit sad" or "not very happy" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly unhappy" functions as an adverb-adjective combination that modifies and intensifies the adjective "unhappy". The adverb "utterly" serves to emphasize the degree or extent of unhappiness. Ludwig confirms the phrase's usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "utterly unhappy" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to convey a deep sense of sadness or dissatisfaction. Ludwig confirms its correctness and provides real-world examples. While relatively infrequent in general usage, it's most commonly found in News & Media contexts. When using "utterly unhappy", ensure that the context warrants such a strong emotional emphasis, avoiding overuse in casual situations where milder expressions might be more appropriate. Consider related phrases like "completely miserable" or "absolutely dejected" for nuanced variations in meaning. Remember to use "utterly unhappy" to emphasize the intensity of emotion effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely miserable

Replaces "unhappy" with "miserable" and "utterly" with "completely", emphasizing a strong feeling of unhappiness.

absolutely dejected

Substitutes "utterly" with "absolutely" and "unhappy" with "dejected", indicating a state of low spirits.

totally despondent

Replaces "utterly" with "totally" and "unhappy" with "despondent", conveying a sense of hopelessness.

thoroughly crestfallen

Uses "thoroughly" instead of "utterly" and "crestfallen" for "unhappy", suggesting disappointment and sadness.

deeply saddened

Replaces "utterly unhappy" with "deeply saddened", expressing a profound sense of sorrow.

inconsolably sad

Expresses a state of sadness that cannot be comforted, replacing "utterly unhappy" with a more descriptive phrase.

bitterly disappointed

Indicates a strong feeling of disappointment, similar to being very unhappy.

extremely disheartened

Uses "extremely" in place of "utterly" and "disheartened" instead of "unhappy", conveying a loss of morale.

profoundly disaffected

Replaces "utterly unhappy" with "profoundly disaffected", suggesting a sense of alienation and dissatisfaction.

genuinely distressed

Conveys authentic and intense emotional pain by replacing "utterly unhappy" with "genuinely distressed".

FAQs

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

You can use "utterly unhappy" to describe a profound state of sadness or dissatisfaction. For example: "After losing the competition, she felt "utterly unhappy" and withdrawn."

What's a less intense alternative to "utterly unhappy"?

If you want to convey unhappiness without as much intensity, consider using phrases like "somewhat unhappy", "a little sad", or "not very happy".

Is "utterly unhappy" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "utterly unhappy" is appropriate for formal writing when you want to emphasize a deep or complete state of unhappiness. However, ensure the context warrants such a strong expression.

Which is more emphatic: "utterly unhappy" or "completely unhappy"?

Both phrases are emphatic, but "utterly" might suggest a slightly deeper or more profound sense of unhappiness compared to "completely". The choice often depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.