appears untouchable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appears untouchable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that seems immune to criticism, harm, or change. Example: "Despite the controversies surrounding his actions, he still appears untouchable in the eyes of his supporters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He is by far the country's most popular political figure, but he no longer appears untouchable and will have to engage with his critics, something he has done only rarely and grudgingly.

The New York Times

The case is especially frustrating to those outside Laos, who say Mr. Vixay appears untouchable as long as he remains in his home country, where, they say, officials have refused to do a thorough investigation despite the reams of evidence presented to them.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

And yet, the Saudis appear untouchable.

The Guardian

When they play like this, his team appear untouchable.

The Guardian - Sport

Johnson appeared untouchable in the first 10 races of the season, winning four.

The New York Times - Sports

The party statement, made after a five-hour emergency meeting of the leadership, amounted to a stinging rebuke of a man whose stature appeared untouchable just two months ago.

The New York Times

Many of the programmes Mr Obama described are actually policies Republicans have backed in the past, but which now appear untouchable because they are on a list of priorities outlined by a Democrat.

The Economist

He had ties to many local power brokers and initially appeared untouchable, although local people charged that he had been a chief backer of the assault, allowing his truck to be used and supporting his men who carried out the rape.

The New York Times

Throughout the mutual fund investigations, many of the biggest fund families– Vanguard, American and Fidelity –have appeared untouchable.

Forbes

Altogether, although challenges exist that the current organoids system still need substantial development, this system have already found utility in many basic biological and therapeutic fields to advance new knowledge and to advance us closer to therapeutics for diseases that previously appeared untouchable.

Protein & Cell

Mohamed Bin Hammam has claimed to FIFA's new chief investigator that Sepp Blatter appears to be untouchable.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "appears untouchable" to convey that someone or something gives the impression of being immune to criticism, consequences, or change. It's effective when describing perceptions rather than objective realities.

Common error

Avoid using "appears untouchable" when the situation clearly demonstrates vulnerability. The phrase works best when there's a contrast between perception and reality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appears untouchable" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe its perceived state of invulnerability or immunity to negative consequences. As shown in Ludwig, it suggests a perception rather than a factual reality.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "appears untouchable" is used to describe someone or something that seems immune to criticism, harm, or consequences. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and highlights its use in contexts where perception contrasts with reality. While relatively rare, as determined by the number of examples, it is most commonly found in news and media. Alternatives include "seems invulnerable" and "looks unassailable". It's important to avoid overstating invulnerability when the situation clearly demonstrates the opposite.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems invulnerable

Focuses on the perception of being immune to harm or criticism.

looks unassailable

Highlights the impression of being impossible to attack or challenge.

presents as invulnerable

Emphasizes the act of projecting an image of invulnerability.

is seemingly immune

Indicates an apparent resistance to negative consequences.

gives the impression of being beyond reproach

Suggests a perception of being above criticism or blame.

projects an aura of invincibility

Focuses on the powerful image of being unbeatable.

conveys a sense of impunity

Highlights the feeling of being exempt from punishment.

seems beyond reach

Implies that the subject is unattainable or unaffected by normal constraints.

acts as if exempt from consequences

Emphasizes the behavior of someone who doesn't fear repercussions.

presents an image of invulnerability

Similar to "presents as invulnerable", but with an emphasis on a created image.

FAQs

How can I use "appears untouchable" in a sentence?

You can use "appears untouchable" to describe someone or something that gives the impression of being immune to criticism or consequences. For example, "Despite numerous scandals, the politician "appears untouchable"."

What are some alternatives to "appears untouchable"?

Alternatives include "seems invulnerable", "looks unassailable", or "is seemingly immune", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "appears untouchable" formal or informal?

"Appears untouchable" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

What does it mean when someone "appears untouchable"?

When someone ""appears untouchable"", it means they seem to be beyond the reach of criticism, punishment, or any negative consequences that might affect others in similar situations.