absolutely horrible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absolutely horrible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a strong negative opinion or feeling about something. Example: "The service at the restaurant was absolutely horrible, and I don't think I'll be returning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The "boys" of "Girls" are far different from the "men" of "The Group" (most of whom are absolutely horrible and horribly contrived — you often hear of male writers who can't create female characters; McCarthy illustrates the converse).

The New York Times

Absolutely horrible.

The New Yorker

It's absolutely horrible.

Independent

"It was absolutely horrible".

The New York Times

It's horrible, absolutely horrible".

The Guardian

It's an absolutely horrible picture".

Independent

"It was absolutely horrible," his mother said.

The New Yorker

"That's horrible, absolutely horrible," he said.

The New York Times

"It would be horrible, absolutely horrible.

The New Yorker

Absolutely horrible [for heating oil demand].

The Guardian - Business

"It's horrible," she says, "absolutely horrible".

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "absolutely horrible" to emphasize the extreme negativity of a situation, experience, or object. Ensure the context warrants such a strong term to maintain impact.

Common error

Avoid using "absolutely horrible" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can diminish its impact and make your writing seem melodramatic. Vary your vocabulary to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "absolutely horrible" is to act as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, conveying a strong negative attribute. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this use, and the AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "absolutely horrible" is a grammatically correct and very common adjective phrase used to express a strong negative sentiment. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it frequently appears in News & Media, but is adaptable across various contexts. While its meaning is clear, overusing the phrase is possible, and using alternatives such as "utterly dreadful", "completely terrible", and "totally awful", might improve your style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly dreadful

Replaces 'horrible' with 'dreadful' and 'absolutely' with 'utterly' providing a slightly more formal tone, while maintaining the same intensity.

absolutely appalling

Replaces 'horrible' with 'appalling' indicating a sense of shock and disgust in addition to strong dislike; maintaining similar intensity.

simply atrocious

Replaces 'absolutely horrible' with 'simply atrocious' which is a more formal and emphatic way of expressing extreme disapproval.

completely terrible

Substitutes 'horrible' with 'terrible' and 'absolutely' with 'completely', offering a slightly less intense but still strong negative connotation.

downright awful

Substitutes 'absolutely horrible' with 'downright awful', which suggests an unambiguous and unpleasant quality.

totally awful

Replaces 'horrible' with 'awful' and 'absolutely' with 'totally', resulting in a more informal expression of strong dislike.

remarkably dreadful

Swaps 'absolutely' with 'remarkably' and 'horrible' with 'dreadful', suggesting a surprising or noteworthy degree of negativity.

unbelievably bad

Replaces 'absolutely horrible' with 'unbelievably bad', which emphasizes the degree to which something is negative or undesirable.

exceptionally poor

Replaces 'absolutely horrible' with 'exceptionally poor', offering a more understated yet still critical assessment.

thoroughly unpleasant

Substitutes 'absolutely horrible' with 'thoroughly unpleasant', providing a milder and more polite way to express strong dislike or disapproval.

FAQs

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

You can use "absolutely horrible" to describe something extremely unpleasant or bad. For example, "The food at the restaurant was "absolutely horrible"".

What are some alternatives to saying "absolutely horrible"?

Instead of "absolutely horrible", you could use phrases like "utterly dreadful", "completely terrible", or "totally awful" depending on the context.

Is "absolutely horrible" a formal or informal expression?

"Absolutely horrible" is generally considered an informal expression, suitable for everyday conversation and less formal writing. For formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "exceptionally poor" or "simply atrocious".

What's the difference between "absolutely horrible" and "horrible"?

Adding "absolutely" to "horrible" intensifies the adjective, emphasizing the extreme degree of unpleasantness or badness. It conveys a stronger emotional response than simply saying "horrible".