appalling love

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appalling love" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a love that is shocking, disturbing, or morally unacceptable. Example: "The novel explores the theme of appalling love, showcasing the toxic relationship between the two main characters."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or the appalling Dr Love, whose shadow lengthens across those mighty 688 pages?

The Guardian - Books

God's faithfulness stands, assuring us that even in the most appalling disaster love will not let us go; but it will not be a safety net that guarantees a happy ending in this world.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I understand the difficulty to countenance that the evil people who perpetrated the appalling crimes against your loved ones will not pay the full price that they deserve.

The New York Times

Interview bands who have made it big and you get to sense which are only good at containing monstrous self-love, or appalling self-doubt, or a fizzing mixture of the two, for the exact duration of a promotional commitment (and sometimes a shorter period than that).

The Guardian - Music

The exhibition text tells us that Mr. Sachs "draws us toward something appalling by appealing to our love of consumer goods".

The New York Times

How could a person you supposedly love have such an appalling ringtone?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

His marriage to Messalina, the only woman he is said to have truly loved, has followed an appalling course.

The Guardian - Books

This appalling death toll of so many loved ones lost was compounded by an attempt to blame the victims.

The Guardian - Sport

'I love what they do, the appalling lighting.

The Guardian

But despite her son's appalling place in history, Klebold still cannot but love him.

The Guardian

"People are still contacting our helpline every day to tell us that they or a loved one is receiving the most appalling care in hospital.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "appalling love", ensure the context clearly establishes the reason for the appalling nature, whether it's due to moral implications, harmful consequences, or disturbing intensity. Clarify what makes the love appalling, providing specific details or examples for better comprehension.

Common error

Avoid using "appalling love" as a synonym for merely 'bad love'. "Appalling love" implies a sense of moral repugnance, shock, or horror, not just general dislike or incompatibility. Reserve it for situations where the love is genuinely offensive or disturbing due to its nature or consequences.

Linguistic Context

Appalling functions as an adjective modifying the noun love. It describes a specific quality of love that is shocking, disturbing, or morally repugnant. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "appalling love" is grammatically correct, but currently lacks substantial real-world usage examples, as noted by Ludwig AI. It denotes a form of love that is shocking, disturbing, or morally repugnant, rather than simply unpleasant. While not frequently encountered, its purpose is to express strong negative judgment. When employing the term, be sure that the context clarifies why the love is considered "appalling", emphasizing the morally reprehensible or deeply disturbing elements. Alternatives such as "shocking affection" or "disturbing adoration" can be considered depending on the specific nuance intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shocking affection

Replaces "appalling" with a more direct synonym emphasizing the element of surprise and dismay associated with a certain type of love. This alternative is more straightforward.

disturbing adoration

Emphasizes the unsettling nature of the love, suggesting that it causes unease or anxiety. It focuses on the psychological effect of the love.

horrific infatuation

Conveys a sense of extreme negativity and intensity in the infatuation, implying that it is deeply wrong or harmful. The change is stronger in tone.

repulsive devotion

Highlights the morally objectionable nature of the devotion, implying that it elicits disgust. It's a more accusatory expression.

gruesome passion

Focuses on the dark and unpleasant aspects of the passion, suggesting that it is morbid or sinister. It uses a more dramatic word choice.

obscene affection

Suggests that the affection is indecent and offensive, violating standards of morality and decency. This alternative is more explicit.

abhorrent fondness

Emphasizes the feeling of strong dislike or revulsion associated with the fondness. It's a more intellectualized expression of disgust.

offensive endearment

Highlights the way the endearment is perceived, stressing that it is insulting or hurtful. The focus shifts to the impact on others.

despicable amorousness

Expresses a strong sense of contempt for the amorousness, implying that it is worthy of scorn and disdain. It's a more condemnatory expression.

terrible love

A more general phrase suggesting that the love is extremely bad or unpleasant. It is less specific than "appalling love".

FAQs

How can "appalling love" be used in a sentence?

Use "appalling love" to describe love characterized by shocking, morally offensive, or deeply disturbing elements. For example: "The novel explores the themes of betrayal and "appalling love" within a dysfunctional family."

What are some alternatives to "appalling love"?

Depending on the specific context, you can use alternatives such as "disturbing affection", "horrific infatuation", or "repulsive devotion".

Is "appalling love" grammatically correct?

Yes, "appalling love" is a grammatically correct phrase in English, combining an adjective ("appalling") with a noun ("love"). Its appropriateness depends on the context and the intended meaning.

What makes "appalling love" different from simply "bad love"?

"Appalling love" goes beyond mere negativity or dissatisfaction. It suggests a morally reprehensible, shocking, or deeply disturbing aspect to the love, implying a profound sense of disgust or horror that "bad love" doesn't necessarily convey.