an outrageous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an outrageous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is shocking, unacceptable, or extremely unusual. Example: "The decision to cut funding for the arts was an outrageous move by the government."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Social Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This was an outrageous act.

Independent

That wasn't an outrageous opinion.

The New York Times - Tech

It sounds an outrageous notion.

The Economist

This is an outrageous assertion.

The New York Times

That's an outrageous shot.

The Guardian - Sport

"That's an outrageous requirement.

The New York Times

What an outrageous save!

The Guardian - Sport

It was an outrageous statement of intent.

The New York Times

"It's not an outrageous sum, anyway".

The New Yorker

Mr Reid is indeed an outrageous partisan.

The Economist

Mr Reid is an outrageous partisan.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In sports or creative contexts, use the phrase to describe a high-skill, unexpected, or daring play that defies standard expectations.

Common error

Writers often use "an outrageous" in news reports without attributing it to a source. Unless you are writing an opinion piece or an editorial, ensure this phrase is used within a quote or attributed to a specific person to maintain journalistic neutrality.

Linguistic Context

Grammatically, "an outrageous" consists of the indefinite article "an" followed by an adjective. It functions as a modifier for a noun, serving to intensify the quality of that noun. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is standard English usage for creating strong descriptive emphasis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Social Media

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an outrageous" is an exceptionally versatile and powerful tool in English for expressing shock, disbelief, or highlighting the extreme nature of a situation. According to data from Ludwig, it is most frequently employed in high-quality journalism, appearing in outlets like The New York Times and The Guardian to describe everything from political scandals to extraordinary athletic feats. While it is grammatically straightforward, its strength lies in its ability to color a noun with a sense of moral indignation or profound surprise. Writers should be mindful of its subjective nature, ensuring it fits the intended tone of their piece, whether they are calling out "an outrageous lie" or celebrating "an outrageous goal". Overall, Ludwig AI confirms that it remains a robust and effective choice for adding emphasis to any narrative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a shocking

Focuses more on the element of surprise or disbelief

a scandalous

Specifically implies a breach of moral or social standards

an egregious

A more formal term for something remarkably or glaringly bad

an absurd

Shifts the focus toward the illogical or ridiculous nature of the subject

a disgraceful

Stronger focus on the shame or dishonor associated with the act

a flagrant

Emphasizes that the action is obvious and disrespectful of rules

an unbelievable

Highlights the difficulty in accepting something as true or real

a preposterous

Suggests that something is contrary to common sense

an offensive

Concentrates on the resentment or hurt caused by the subject

a bold

Can be used when the outrage is mixed with a sense of daring or audacity

FAQs

How to use "an outrageous" in a sentence?

You can use "an outrageous" to modify a noun that is shocking or extreme. For example: "The company faced backlash after "an outrageous claim" about their product's benefits."

What can I say instead of "an outrageous"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives like "a shocking", "an absurd", or "an egregious".

Is it "a outrageous" or "an outrageous"?

The correct form is always "an outrageous" because "outrageous" begins with a vowel sound. Using "a" in this context is grammatically incorrect.

What is the difference between "an outrageous" and "a scandalous"?

While "an outrageous" covers a broad range of extreme or shocking things, "a scandalous" specifically implies something that causes public outrage due to a perceived moral or legal transgression.