absolutely evil

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absolutely evil" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the extreme nature of someone's actions or character, often in a moral or ethical context. Example: "The villain in the story was portrayed as absolutely evil, with no redeeming qualities whatsoever."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Germans are made to look absolutely evil by Britain and America and even Germany today.

The Guardian

Watch out for someone who describes people as absolutely good and blameless, or as absolutely evil and responsible.

Harvard Business Review

And if the other side is absolutely evil then we must be absolutely good, so it's fine for us to be absolutely powerful.

The New Yorker

"There is nothing absolutely evil," Strindberg wrote in the introduction to his 1888 play "Miss Julie" (now being performed in a new adaptation, by Craig Lucas, at the Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre).

The New Yorker

One of Communism's most perverse features was the politicizing of all private choices and the totalitarian insistence that liberalism and capitalism were always and everywhere absolutely evil, that collectivism and Communism were good by definition, that the rights of the individual counted not at all.

The New York Times

The old men must be thinking about that as they gather together, must be glad that their time of testing came when it did, in a war where the Americans were the good guys beyond question, and the bad guys were absolutely evil.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Slavery is a good instance — there was absolutely no shortage of articulate and eloquent people for whom slavery was an absolute evil.

The New Yorker

Slavery is a good instance there was absolutely no shortage of articulate and eloquent people for whom slavery was an absolute evil.

The New Yorker

The problem here is that if indeed there is this incompatibility between a perfectly good necessary being (God) and gratuitous evils or even absolutely horrendous evils, then it would follow that such worlds would not be possible worlds, for they would contain a contradiction.

SEP

Smoking up a storm and insulting his guests and being absolutely wonderfully evil and charming, too.

Forbes

Evil, evil, evil.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "absolutely evil" to emphasize the extreme and unequivocal nature of malevolence, ensuring the context supports such a strong assertion.

Common error

Avoid using "absolutely evil" to describe situations that are merely unpleasant or inconvenient; reserve it for truly heinous acts or characters to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absolutely evil" functions as an intensifying adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to express an extreme degree of wickedness or immorality. As Ludwig AI confirms, it emphasizes the extreme nature of actions or character.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "absolutely evil" is a potent adjective phrase used to denote the highest degree of wickedness. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and functions to intensify the description of something morally reprehensible. While its usage is more frequent in News & Media and academic contexts, it's important to reserve it for situations genuinely deserving of such a strong condemnation. Alternatives like "utterly wicked" or "completely malevolent" can offer nuanced options depending on the context. Remember to avoid overuse in mild situations to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly wicked

Emphasizes the complete lack of goodness, focusing on moral corruption.

completely malevolent

Highlights the malicious intent and desire to do harm.

purely diabolical

Implies a connection to demonic forces and extreme wickedness.

thoroughly nefarious

Focuses on the treacherous and dishonest nature of the evil.

wholly immoral

Stresses the complete absence of moral principles.

entirely depraved

Highlights the corruption and degradation of character.

unquestionably evil

Indicates there is no doubt about the evil nature.

patently evil

Emphasizes that the evil is obvious and undeniable.

downright evil

Suggests a straightforward and undeniable form of evil.

thoroughly bad

A more general term indicating a high degree of negativity or wrongdoing.

FAQs

How can I use "absolutely evil" in a sentence?

You can use "absolutely evil" to describe a person, action, or thing that is considered completely morally wrong or wicked. For example: "The dictator's regime was "absolutely evil", causing immense suffering to its people."

What are some alternatives to "absolutely evil"?

Some alternatives to "absolutely evil" include "utterly wicked", "completely malevolent", or "purely diabolical", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "absolutely evil" in formal writing?

While "absolutely evil" is grammatically correct, its intensity might be more suitable for certain contexts than others. In formal writing, consider whether a more nuanced term like "thoroughly nefarious" or "wholly immoral" might be more appropriate.

What connotations does the phrase "absolutely evil" carry?

The phrase "absolutely evil" carries strong negative connotations, suggesting a complete lack of morality and a profound capacity for causing harm. It's often used in discussions of morality, ethics, and extreme wrongdoing.