was utterly dismayed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was utterly dismayed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong feeling of disappointment or shock in response to a situation or event. Example: "When she heard the news, she was utterly dismayed and couldn't believe what had happened."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Simon Cooke, the leader of the Conservatives on Bradford council, said he was "utterly dismayed" by the latest move.

The Guardian

However, I was utterly dismayed to see that Simon characterized Berthe Morisot as a "worthy but minor painter" and criticized Calasso because she figures "prominently" in his book.

The New York Times - Books

Mrs Livinenko said she was "utterly dismayed" by the ruling and suggested it was the result of a deal between governments in London and Moscow.

Independent

The changes drew criticism from World Horse Welfare, whose director of communications, Jessica Stark, said the charity was "utterly dismayed" by the reduced penalties.

The Guardian - Sport

The Union of Fans - a coalition of supporters groups - said it was "utterly dismayed" by the settlement, given that the club had previously indicated it would "robustly defend" Mr Ahmad's claim.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

He put on a brave face, but must have been utterly dismayed.

The Economist

He was reported to be utterly dismayed by the news, which has stopped filming just six weeks into the shoot.

The Guardian

"Mrs Litvinenko is utterly dismayed by the coroner's decision to abandon his search for the truth about Russian state responsibility for her husband's death".

Independent

Taken in the round The Book Against God is a gifted and winning first novel, neatly knotted near the end, when Tommy unwittingly tells the truth by lying: he has no doubt that Jane is wrong to say that really he is seeking God, but he tells his father - who has recently been utterly dismayed to learn of his lack of faith - that he thinks Jane is right after all.

The Guardian - Books

Councils said they were "utterly dismayed" as this was the second year they were being "decimated".

BBC

"We are utterly dismayed with the further reductions in penalties," said a statement.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was utterly dismayed" to convey a strong feeling of disappointment combined with shock or surprise. It's suitable when the situation is more than just disappointing, but also unsettling.

Common error

Avoid using "was utterly dismayed" in casual conversations or informal writing. The phrase is relatively formal and might sound out of place in everyday contexts. Consider using simpler alternatives like "was really disappointed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was utterly dismayed" functions as a descriptive expression, indicating a state of strong disappointment and often surprise. As shown in Ludwig, this phrase is typically used to describe someone's reaction to unexpected and negative news or events.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was utterly dismayed" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for conveying strong disappointment and shock. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, although its usage is relatively rare, primarily occurring in news and media contexts. While appropriate for neutral and formal writing, it may sound out of place in casual conversation. It's essential to use this phrase when you want to emphasize not only disappointment but also a sense of disbelief or upset. Remember, alternatives like "was deeply disappointed" or "was completely shocked" may be more suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was extremely disappointed

Emphasizes the level of disappointment without using "dismayed".

was profoundly disappointed

Emphasizes the depth and significance of the disappointment.

was deeply disappointed

Replaces "utterly dismayed" with a more general term for disappointment.

was bitterly disappointed

Highlights the intensity and negative impact of the disappointment.

was severely let down

Focuses on the feeling of being failed or disappointed by someone or something.

was completely shocked

Focuses on the element of surprise and disbelief.

was incredibly disheartened

Emphasizes the loss of morale or enthusiasm.

was utterly appalled

Conveys a stronger sense of disgust or outrage.

was thoroughly disillusioned

Indicates a loss of faith or trust.

was greatly saddened

Highlights the emotional impact of the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "was utterly dismayed" in a sentence?

Use "was utterly dismayed" to express a strong feeling of disappointment and shock. For example, "She "was utterly dismayed" when she heard the news about the project being canceled".

What can I say instead of "was utterly dismayed"?

You can use alternatives like "was deeply disappointed", "was completely shocked", or "was extremely disappointed" depending on the context.

Is "was utterly dismayed" too formal for casual conversation?

Yes, "was utterly dismayed" can sound overly formal in casual settings. Consider using less intense and more common phrases like "was really disappointed" or "was so upset".

What's the difference between "was utterly dismayed" and "was slightly disappointed"?

"Was utterly dismayed" conveys a stronger negative emotion involving both disappointment and surprise, while "was slightly disappointed" indicates a mild level of dissatisfaction. The former suggests a more significant impact than the latter.