absurd premium

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absurd premium" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a price or cost that is excessively high or unreasonable in relation to the value of the item or service being offered. Example: "The ticket prices for the concert were an absurd premium, making it difficult for many fans to attend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But there are ways that anyone with a pre-existing medical condition can obtain insurance without paying an absurd premium.

The Guardian - Money

They have all been seduced by a business model which amounts to offering a teaser rate, then stitching up unsuspecting older customers for years afterwards with absurd premium increases.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Investors flocked to investment trusts, precursors of today's mutual funds, that often traded at absurd premiums to their underlying assets.

The New York Times

The in-store music alone cuts purchase intent off at the waist, and the cold sweats I get in anticipation of a visit makes paying PSN's absurd, inconceivable premiums seem a privilege.

Vice

"That people who make $9,500 should pay $300 in premiums is just absurd," she said.

The New York Times

Federal Exchanges without premium subsidies are no more absurd than any of PPACA supporters' other master strokes.

Forbes

The bar has a huge back-bar mirror topped with an impressive, if faintly absurd, wooden pediment and features a collection of premium liquor, including a half-dozen grappas.

Los Angeles Times

These absurd and funny cartoon sketches are podcasts reworked for premium cable.

The New York Times

I have earlier demonstrated that the most absurd version of this Obama promise--$2500 in annual premium savings before the end of his first term missed by a mile.

Forbes

We are now in the absurd position that the government, local authorities and health trusts are paying a hefty premium on their financing costs to transfer risks to banks that are under public control.

The Guardian - Opinion

A predictable thought crossed my mind: how funny, how absurd, that the cutting tool, the ur-thing of functionality, has evolved into a premium-priced stylish object that seems more suitable for display than for use.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience when using the phrase, and if they may be unfamiliar with the term "premium" in this context, provide additional clarification or use an alternative.

Common error

Avoid assuming that any high price qualifies as an "absurd premium". The term implies that the elevated cost is not justified by the value, quality, or scarcity of the item or service. A high price for a luxury item might not be an "absurd premium" if it aligns with market expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absurd premium" functions as a descriptive term, modifying a noun (like price, cost, or fee). As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is used to describe a cost considered unreasonably high. This makes it an adjectival phrase, where "absurd" intensifies the already negative connotation of a "premium".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "absurd premium" describes a price deemed excessively high and unreasonable. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, primarily appearing in News & Media. While the phrase is correct, alternatives like "exorbitant surcharge" or "outrageous cost" can offer variety. Effective usage requires clearly defining the priced item and justifying the "absurdity" of the premium. Be mindful of potential misinterpretations of "premium". Overall, "absurd premium" serves to criticize illogical and unfair pricing practices, as indicated by Ludwig's examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exorbitant surcharge

Replaces "premium" with "surcharge", implying an additional fee considered excessive.

outrageous cost

Substitutes both "absurd" and "premium" to focus on the shocking nature of the price.

unreasonable price

Replaces "absurd premium" with a more general term for a price that lacks justification.

excessive fee

Uses "fee" as a more specific alternative to "premium", implying a charge for a service.

inflated price

Focuses on the artificial increase in price, suggesting it's not justified by value.

preposterous rate

Replaces "absurd" with "preposterous" for emphasis and "premium" with "rate" to suggest a price over time.

ridiculous markup

Substitutes "premium" with "markup", highlighting the difference between cost and selling price.

unjustified expense

Replaces "premium" with "expense" indicating the cost is not warranted or deserved.

sky-high price

Uses a more descriptive and informal way to convey the excessively high nature of the price.

crazy upcharge

Emphasizes the unreasonable nature of the additional cost by using more informal synonyms.

FAQs

What does "absurd premium" mean?

"Absurd premium" refers to a price or cost that is excessively high and unreasonable in relation to the value of the item or service being offered. It suggests the price is so high as to be illogical or ridiculous.

What are some alternatives to saying "absurd premium"?

You can use alternatives like "exorbitant surcharge", "outrageous cost", or "unreasonable price" to convey a similar meaning.

How can I use "absurd premium" in a sentence?

Example: "They are frequently charged an "absurd premium" for cover."

Is "absurd premium" a formal or informal phrase?

"Absurd premium" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it leans slightly towards a neutral or professional tone due to its components. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing when choosing this phrase.