widespread dismay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "widespread dismay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a large number of people are feeling disappointment or distress about something. Example: "The announcement of the new policy led to widespread dismay among the employees, who felt their concerns were not being addressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

The post met with widespread dismay on social media.

The Guardian

The sacking of manager Roberto Mancini has been met with widespread dismay by Manchester City fans.

Independent

The decision not to expel Livingstone permanently was met with widespread dismay in the Jewish community.

The Guardian

Rumors of Book World's imminent closing last week brought widespread dismay within the literary world.

The New York Times - Books

There is widespread dismay over the small role that foreign policy plays in the national debate.

The New York Times

Among West End shoppers there was widespread dismay at news of BHS's financial collapse on Monday.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

The result was The Curse of Frankenstein (1957) and widespread critical dismay, but a worldwide box-office hit: with it, "Hammer Horror" was born.

The Guardian - Film

The protracted fight over carried interest underscores the difficulty Congress faces in trying to close tax loopholes for businesses, even at a time of sprawling budget deficits and widespread public dismay about Wall Street's influence in Washington.

The New York Times

The intention to turn City Hospital No. 31 into a clinic that would exclusively serve judges and staff members of the Supreme Court and other high courts when they are relocated to St . Petersburgfrom Moscow caused widespread public dismay.

The New York Times

The complexity of the case has prompted widespread interest, dismay and concern as it weighed arguments over whether it is ever lawful to permit the taking of life, and, if so, under what circumstances.

The New York Times

In his own debut speech, French President Emmanuel Macron strongly defended the Paris climate accord, signed in the same room in New York two years ago and rejected in June by Mr Trump, to widespread international dismay.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "widespread dismay" to accurately depict situations where a significant number of people express disappointment or concern, ensuring the context supports the scale of the sentiment.

Common error

Avoid using "widespread dismay" if the disappointment or concern is limited to a small group or lacks broad public awareness. Instead, use more specific language to reflect the actual scope of the sentiment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "widespread dismay" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object or subject of a sentence. Ludwig shows that it describes a state of widespread disappointment or concern. As an example, consider "The decision caused widespread dismay."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "widespread dismay" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively communicates broad disappointment or concern. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news and media, it also appears in academic and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the situation warrants the depiction of sentiment on a broad scale and is from authoritative sources. Alternative phrases such as "general disappointment" or "mass concern" can be used to convey similar meanings with subtle differences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

general disappointment

Focuses on the feeling of disappointment being common among people.

broad disapproval

Emphasizes the widespread nature of disapproval.

collective disappointment

Highlights the shared experience of disappointment.

extensive dissatisfaction

Indicates a high degree of unhappiness across a large group.

mass concern

Shifts the focus to worry or anxiety being shared by many.

public outcry

Suggests a more vocal and public expression of disapproval.

general discontent

Highlights a general lack of satisfaction or happiness.

popular dissatisfaction

Highlights the popularity of dissatisfaction about something.

common grievance

Emphasizes a shared complaint or cause for unhappiness.

shared disappointment

Highlights the shared experience of disappointment by a group.

FAQs

How can I use "widespread dismay" in a sentence?

You can use "widespread dismay" to describe situations where a large number of people are disappointed or concerned about something. For example: "The company's decision to cut benefits caused "widespread dismay" among the employees."

What are some alternatives to "widespread dismay"?

You can use alternatives like "general disappointment", "broad disapproval", or "mass concern" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "widespread dismay" formal or informal?

"Widespread dismay" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is frequently used in news articles, academic papers, and business communications.

What is the difference between "widespread dismay" and "public outcry"?

"Widespread dismay" indicates a general feeling of disappointment or concern, while "public outcry" suggests a more vocal and public expression of disapproval. "Public outcry" implies a stronger, more active reaction.