absolute success

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absolute success" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or outcome that is completely successful without any failures or shortcomings. Example: "The launch of the new product was an absolute success, exceeding all sales expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Although they are more common, the absolute success rates of nonviolent resistance campaigns have declined.

The Washington Post

If the musical presentation alone was the measure of this production, the San Francisco/ Metropolitan Opera "Fliegende Hollander" would be an absolute success.

The New York Times

As a teen-ager, Chris's rapid and absolute success thrust her into an arena where she vied for supremacy with the legend of Billie Jean King.

The New York Times - Sports

But the idea that it's not competition itself that breeds cheaters, but rather a specific kind of competition, which awards relative instead of absolute success, is pretty novel.

The Washington Post

"As a commercial show we were a failure," Mr. Eustis said of "Passing Strange," "but in terms of everything that our mission is based on, we were an absolute success".

The New York Times

CanLII is far from being without its policy and financial challenges, but in most respects concerning the core vision of proving a sustainable service through which Canadians can freely access the vast majority of current case law and legislative resources, it is an absolute success.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

The absolute lifetime success of each group was divided by the lifetime success of the Localfemale × Localmale group to obtain estimates relative to 'pure natives'.

Evolutionary Applications

From the West Coast, Mr. Evers of DaVero said, "This holiday season has been an absolute blowout success for us".

The New York Times

Among the big national commercial stations (broadcasting on both analogue and digital) Absolute 80s' success was mirrored by the main Absolute Radio station, up 7% year on year to just under 2 million listeners a week.

The Guardian

While drivetime host Geoff Lloyd broadcasts from down the corridor, programme manager Tony Moorey (favourite band: Elbow) says that one of the secrets to Absolute's success is that "we don't try to pretend we're the coolest station on Earth".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

As has been pointed out many times – most recently in Generation of Sociopaths that the demographics, the policies, and the preferences of the Baby Boomers rode a wave of absolute financial success from the nadir of World War II into the golden 1960s.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "absolute success" to emphasize a complete and undeniable achievement, particularly when highlighting significant positive outcomes in business, projects, or personal endeavors.

Common error

Avoid using "absolute success" to describe minor achievements. Reserve it for situations where the positive outcome is truly significant and impactful; otherwise, it can sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absolute success" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a verb. It denotes a state of complete accomplishment, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples where events are described as achieving an "absolute success".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

29%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "absolute success" is a noun phrase used to denote complete and undeniable achievement. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely used, as evidenced by the numerous examples from reliable sources spanning news, scientific research, and academic discourse. When writing, reserve "absolute success" for situations where the positive outcome is significant, and consider alternatives like "complete triumph" or "total victory" to fine-tune the tone and emphasis. Although the term is versatile and applicable in many settings, being mindful of the potential for hyperbole is crucial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complete triumph

Replaces "success" with "triumph", emphasizing victory and overcoming challenges.

total victory

Highlights the winning aspect of the achievement, focusing on overcoming opposition.

unqualified success

Emphasizes that the success is without any limitations or reservations.

resounding success

Indicates a success that is widely recognized and celebrated.

unequivocal success

Highlights that the success is clear, undeniable, and leaves no room for doubt.

perfect achievement

Focuses on the flawless execution and attainment of a goal.

undeniable hit

Implies that something has been very popular and successful.

unmitigated win

Emphasizes that the victory is complete and without any negative aspects.

sheer accomplishment

Highlights the magnitude and impressiveness of the achievement.

ultimate triumph

Indicates the highest level of success or victory possible.

FAQs

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

You can use "absolute success" to describe a situation or outcome that is completely successful. For example, "The project was an "absolute success", exceeding all expectations."

What are some alternatives to saying "absolute success"?

Alternatives include "complete triumph", "total victory", or "unqualified success", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "absolute success" in formal writing?

Yes, "absolute success" is appropriate for formal writing when describing a situation with complete and undeniable success. However, consider the context and whether a more nuanced term might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "absolute success" and "relative success"?

"Absolute success" refers to achieving a goal completely, regardless of others' achievements. "Relative success", on the other hand, means achieving more than others or surpassing expectations within a specific group or context.