a smashing success

USAGE SUMMARY

"a smashing success" is correct in written English and is used to describe something that has had great success or is exceptionally well-received.
Example: The new album was a smashing success, topping the charts for six weeks in a row.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Tech

Business

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

All in all, the whole thing was a smashing success.

The Guardian - Music

So, the citizenship classes were a smashing success then!

The Guardian

It's been a smashing success as far as integrations go.

The Guardian - Tech

The strategy was a smashing success for Democrats.

The New York Times

THE show was a smashing success, a near sellout.

The New York Times - Style

On that count, it has proved a smashing success.

The New Yorker

And when you're a smashing success, you're also heightening the chances you're going to get fired.

The New York Times

But no matter what happens Carter has had a smashing success in transactional leadership.

The New Yorker

By the time the price drops to 55 cents, you will be a smashing success.

The New York Times

As much to the friends' surprise as anyone else's, the business is a smashing success.

The New York Times - Books

"He has been a smashing success politically, but not in terms of policy".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a smashing success" to describe outcomes that have exceeded expectations and generated significant positive results.

Common error

While "a smashing success" is appropriate in many contexts, avoid overuse. Employ synonyms like "resounding triumph" or "major hit" to maintain variety and impact in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a smashing success" functions as a noun phrase that describes a prior event or action. According to Ludwig, it indicates that something was remarkably successful or well-received. The term "smashing" acts as an adjective, intensifying the meaning of "success".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Tech

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a smashing success" is a commonly used phrase to describe something exceptionally successful. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and used in a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's wise to avoid overusing the phrase; synonyms like "a resounding triumph" or "a major hit" can add nuance to your writing. Remember to use "a smashing success" when you wish to convey strong approval and satisfaction with remarkable outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a resounding triumph

Emphasizes the completeness and decisiveness of the success.

a major hit

Implies popularity and wide acceptance.

a roaring success

Highlights the enthusiastic and energetic nature of the success.

a notable achievement

Focuses on the significance and importance of the accomplishment.

a substantial accomplishment

Highlights the considerable nature of the achievement

a great success

A more general term indicating a positive outcome, less emphatic.

a brilliant success

Highlights the ingenuity and cleverness that led to success.

a phenomenal success

Emphasizes the extraordinary and remarkable nature of the success.

a worthwhile success

Stresses that something positive happened, and it had value to it.

an unqualified success

Indicates a success without any reservations or drawbacks.

FAQs

How can I use "a smashing success" in a sentence?

You can use "a smashing success" to describe events, projects, or products that have been extremely successful. For example, "The new product launch was "a smashing success", exceeding all sales targets."

What's a less emphatic alternative to "a smashing success"?

If you want to convey success without being overly enthusiastic, consider using phrases like "a great success" or "a notable achievement".

What are some synonyms for "a smashing success" that emphasize popularity?

To emphasize popularity, consider using synonyms such as "a major hit" or "a roaring success".

When is it appropriate to use "a smashing success"?

It is appropriate to use "a smashing success" when you want to describe something that was remarkably successful or well-received. It's often used in news reporting, business contexts, and general conversations to express a high degree of achievement.