abject beauty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "abject beauty" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is both beautiful and pitiful or lowly in a way that evokes strong emotions. It is often used to describe objects or situations that are aesthetically pleasing but evoke a sense of sadness or despair. Example: The dilapidated old house had an abject beauty to it, with its crumbling walls and overgrown garden, as if frozen in time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Arcangel finds an abject beauty in the way that modern technology is doomed to obsolescence.

The New Yorker

By Andrea K. Scott Arcangel finds abject beauty in obsolete machines.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The worshipful admirer who sings "You Are Too Beautiful" is an abject, self-confessed "fool for beauty".

The New York Times - Arts

Jenny Zhang's astounding short-story collection, "Sour Heart," combines ingenious and tightly controlled technical artistry with an unfettered emotional directness that frequently moves, within single sentences, from overwhelming beauty to abject pain.

The New Yorker

New York Society was very gaudy and glittering during the ten years that followed the Civil War, and the fashionable lady of the less conservative element was an even more abject slave to the beauty parlor and the cosmetic shop than is her modern prototype.

The New Yorker

The New Yorker, July 8 , 1933P. 34 New York Society was very gaudy and glittering during the ten years that followed the Civil War, and the fashionable lady of the less conservative element was an even more abject slave to the beauty parlor and the cosmetic shop than is her modern prototype.

The New Yorker

By Herbert Asbury The New Yorker, July 8 , 1933P. 34 New York Society was very gaudy and glittering during the ten years that followed the Civil War, and the fashionable lady of the less conservative element was an even more abject slave to the beauty parlor and the cosmetic shop than is her modern prototype.

The New Yorker

This juxtaposition of architectural beauty and abject poverty is an appropriate illustration of a broader debate over housing and inequality in San Francisco, a debate that reached a frenzied pitch this week with the city's vote on Proposition F, a ballot measure that would have severely restricted short-term rentals in the city.

Vice

Even when his plots are abject, his films are too taken with fleeting moments of kindness or beauty to be altogether bleak.

The New Yorker

In anything less than a total hippie embrace of sexual beauty (and Warhol had arrived at a posture, that of abject mumbling disappointment with sexuality, one which cut much deeper than any moralistic denunciation or ascetic renunciation ever could) you suddenly found yourself glancing deep into a mirror of death.

The New Yorker

Flaunting the extreme power and beauty of her body, the woman forces her pet into the role of abject grooming aid, using his fingers to put on her makeup and having him crawl on the floor so his hands become her stiletto shoes.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "abject beauty" when you want to convey a sense of something beautiful being found in a state of degradation, ruin, or despair. It's particularly effective in art criticism or descriptive writing where you want to evoke strong emotions.

Common error

Don't use "abject beauty" when you simply mean 'great beauty'. The term implies a contrast; if there's no element of repulsiveness or degradation, a different adjective like 'stunning' or 'exquisite' is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "abject beauty" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "abject" modifies the noun "beauty". It describes a specific type of beauty that is intertwined with something negative or wretched. The Ludwig AI identifies this as a valid and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "abject beauty" is a relatively rare but grammatically correct phrase used to describe a beauty that is intertwined with something wretched or degraded. As Ludwig AI points out, it is suitable for contexts where a complex emotional response is desired, particularly in descriptive writing or art criticism. Its usage appears primarily in news and media sources. When considering related phrases, it's crucial to maintain the sense of contrasting elements to accurately convey the intended meaning. Avoid using this term when you simply mean 'great beauty'.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dire beauty

Replaces "abject" with "dire", focusing on the severity of the contrasting element.

appalling beauty

Substitutes "abject" with "appalling", highlighting the shocking aspect of the beauty.

bitter beauty

Replaces "abject" with "bitter", emphasizing a sense of sadness mixed with the beauty.

deep beauty

Focuses on the intensity of the beauty rather than the contrasting element.

utter beauty

Highlights the completeness of the beauty, with no explicit contrasting element.

poor beauty

Suggests a beauty that is somehow deficient or lacking, hinting at a negative aspect.

extreme beauty

Emphasizes the intensity of the beauty, without directly implying abjection.

severe beauty

Suggests a beauty that is stark or unyielding, different from the pitiable connotation of "abject".

despicable beauty

Replaces "abject" with "despicable", emphasizing a stronger sense of moral repugnance mixed with beauty.

far beauty

Indicates a beauty that is distant or unattainable, shifting the focus from abjection to remoteness.

FAQs

How can "abject beauty" be used in a sentence?

You can use "abject beauty" to describe something that is both beautiful and wretched, like "The abandoned mansion possessed an "abject beauty", its decaying facade hinting at a grand past".

What's a synonym for "abject beauty"?

While there's no direct synonym, phrases like "tragic beauty" or "desolate beauty" capture a similar sense of beauty intertwined with sorrow or ruin.

Is "abject beauty" a common phrase?

No, "abject beauty" is not a common phrase. It is used to express a specific concept and typically appears in literary or artistic contexts.

Can "abject beauty" apply to people?

Yes, "abject beauty" can describe a person whose beauty is contrasted with a state of suffering, poverty, or social degradation.