Ridiculously expensive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Ridiculously expensive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is excessively costly or overpriced. Example: "The new smartphone model is ridiculously expensive, making it hard for many consumers to afford."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Gandalf's beard was ridiculously expensive".

The Guardian - Film

It is also ridiculously expensive.

The Guardian - Travel

Also comparative-effectiveness research is ridiculously expensive.

The New York Times - Magazine

The whole thing is becoming ridiculously expensive".

The New York Times

But it has become ridiculously expensive.

The New York Times - Tech

Bribes, backhanders, and ridiculously expensive gravy boats.

The Guardian - Sport

Fine, except they are ridiculously expensive and ridiculously complicated.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's ridiculously expensive and it isn't even the best quality".

The Guardian

"And it's not ridiculously expensive; it's something Jonas — my character — could afford.

The New York Times

The ridiculously expensive mega-suite is here to stay, and not just in Vegas and Dubai.

The New York Times

You can admire the Acropolis while sipping a ridiculously expensive drink.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when using this phrase. While widely understood, it's less appropriate in formal or technical writing where a more neutral tone is preferred.

Common error

While "ridiculously expensive" is effective, avoid using it repeatedly in the same piece of writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "prohibitively costly" or "absurdly overpriced" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ridiculously expensive" functions as a compound adjective used to describe a noun. It modifies the noun by indicating that it is not only expensive but also that its price is absurdly or excessively high, as seen in examples on Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ridiculously expensive" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that is extremely costly, often to an unreasonable degree. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in various contexts, particularly in news and media, to convey disapproval or disbelief about high prices. While effective, it's best to vary your language with synonyms in lengthier pieces. Common errors are rare, but be mindful of the overall tone of your writing. The phrase is frequent across authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, cementing its place in modern English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absurdly overpriced

Replaces 'expensive' with 'overpriced' and 'ridiculously' with 'absurdly', highlighting the unreasonable nature of the price.

outrageously costly

Uses 'outrageously' instead of 'ridiculously' and 'costly' instead of 'expensive', emphasizing the shocking nature of the high price.

prohibitively expensive

Focuses on the effect of the high price, making something impossible to afford.

exorbitantly priced

Substitutes 'expensive' with 'priced' and 'ridiculously' with 'exorbitantly', indicating an excessive price beyond reasonable standards.

unjustifiably high-priced

Emphasizes that the high price is not warranted or justified.

astronomically high in price

Uses 'astronomically high' to exaggerate the level of expensiveness, making it seem extremely high.

laughably unaffordable

Combines the idea of something being ridiculous with the inability to afford it.

preposterously marked-up

Highlights the extent to which the price has been increased, using 'preposterously' to indicate absurdity.

insanely-priced

Uses 'insanely' to emphasize the irrationality and extreme nature of the price.

unconscionably expensive

Suggests the high price is morally wrong or unethical.

FAQs

How can I use "ridiculously expensive" in a sentence?

You can use "ridiculously expensive" to describe something that is excessively costly or overpriced. For example, "The new phone is "ridiculously expensive", making it unaffordable for most people."

What are some alternatives to "ridiculously expensive"?

You can use alternatives like "absurdly overpriced", "outrageously costly", or "prohibitively expensive" depending on the context.

Is "ridiculously expensive" appropriate for formal writing?

While "ridiculously expensive" is widely understood, it might be too informal for certain types of formal or technical writing. Consider using a more neutral term like "prohibitively costly" in those situations.

What makes something "ridiculously expensive" versus just "expensive"?

The term "ridiculously expensive" implies not just a high price, but also that the price is unreasonable, absurd, or excessive relative to the value or what one might expect. It carries a stronger emotional charge than simply saying something is "expensive".