was utterly stunned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was utterly stunned" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a strong reaction of surprise or shock in response to an event or information. Example: "When she heard the news of her promotion, she was utterly stunned and could hardly find the words to express her gratitude."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"I was utterly stunned by the level of vitriol.

The Guardian - Books

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

The Guardian

The first time we played at the Grande Ballroom, the audience was utterly stunned.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

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

The Guardian - Travel

I recall the gasps when the news reader mentioned the Leave camp gaining over a million more votes than the Remain camp and we were utterly stunned at the massive shortfall.

The Guardian

He hollers, "BEST MOM EVER!" I am utterly stunned by his comment.

Huffington Post

I was absolutely stunned.

Science Magazine

The Gossip Girls -- and Guys -- were out in full force last night, celebrating the CW show's 100th episode (a milestone which, for the record, we are so utterly stunned it has reached).

Huffington Post

Which was utterly false.

The New Yorker

He was utterly deceived.

The New York Times - Sports

He was utterly baffled.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was utterly stunned" to express a strong feeling of surprise or shock, often in response to unexpected or remarkable news or events. Be mindful that 'utterly' intensifies the feeling, making it suitable for situations where the surprise is significant.

Common error

Avoid using "was utterly stunned" in everyday or trivial situations. The phrase implies a significant emotional impact, and using it inappropriately can diminish its effect and sound unnatural. Reserve it for truly surprising or shocking events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was utterly stunned" functions as a descriptive expression, typically acting as a predicate adjective to describe the subject's state. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct. Examples show that it describes a state of extreme surprise or shock.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Travel

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was utterly stunned" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a strong feeling of surprise or shock. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While not exceedingly common, it appears primarily in news and media contexts. When writing, it's best reserved for situations where the surprise is genuinely significant to avoid diluting its impact. Related phrases such as ""was completely amazed"" or ""was absolutely shocked"" can offer alternatives depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was absolutely shocked

Emphasizes the feeling of shock rather than simple surprise.

was completely amazed

Replaces "utterly stunned" with a more general term for surprise and wonder.

was astounded beyond words

Emphasizes the extreme level of surprise and lack of ability to express it.

was totally astonished

Uses a more formal synonym for surprised, conveying a sense of disbelief.

was dumbfounded

Indicates a state of being temporarily unable to think or speak due to surprise.

was taken aback

Focuses on the sudden and unexpected nature of the surprise.

was bowled over

Similar to "floored", indicating being greatly surprised or impressed.

was floored

An informal way to express being overwhelmed with surprise.

was left speechless

Highlights the inability to speak due to surprise or shock.

couldn't believe my eyes

Focuses on the visual aspect of the surprising event.

FAQs

What does "was utterly stunned" mean?

The phrase "was utterly stunned" means to be extremely surprised or shocked, to the point of being temporarily speechless or unable to react. The word "utterly" emphasizes the intensity of the surprise.

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

You can use alternatives like "was completely amazed", "was absolutely shocked", or "was totally astonished" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "was utterly stunned" in formal writing?

Yes, "was utterly stunned" is appropriate for formal writing, but consider the tone. While grammatically correct, the strong emotional connotation may be better suited for narrative or descriptive contexts rather than purely objective reporting.

How to use "was utterly stunned" in a sentence?

You can use "was utterly stunned" to describe someone's reaction to surprising news or an unexpected event. For example: "She "was utterly stunned" by the announcement of her award."