arrant nonsense

USAGE SUMMARY

'arrant nonsense' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe an idea, concept, or situation that is absurd or nonsensical. For example, "Eliminating recess for elementary school students is arrant nonsense!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

This is arrant nonsense.

The New York Times

What arrant nonsense!

Independent

This is juvenile, arrant nonsense.

The New York Times - Books

It happens to be arrant nonsense.

The New York Times

MSI dismisses this charge as "arrant nonsense".

The Economist

Sir Anthony describes this as "arrant nonsense".

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Just as it is not true that the CIA was really behind the 11 September attacks or any other arrant conspiratorial nonsense that enjoys widespread credence in the Middle East and beyond.

The Guardian - Opinion

One laugh, courtesy of Pitt's intellect-signifying dicky bow; the rest is arrant, po-faced nonsense.

The Guardian - Film

Knight explains that at first he did not believe Gorman's sensational story, which seemed "arrant, if entertaining, nonsense", but was so entranced by it that he had to investigate further.

Wikipedia

If Mr. Allison was sticking to his talking points, as seems likely, let us find out exactly who is responsible for sharing arrant and self-defeating nonsense with Congress.

Huffington Post

To illustrate how this theory might not be arrant bull, pish, tish, poppycock, nonsense and mummery, Mickelson dumps his tee shot at 5 into some triffids, while up the hole Schwartzel, in more bother, can only send his third shot into the green to 30 feet.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "arrant nonsense" to express strong disagreement or dismissal of an idea you consider completely absurd. It's more forceful than simply saying "I disagree".

Common error

While "arrant nonsense" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in highly formal or professional settings where a more diplomatic tone is preferred.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "arrant nonsense" functions as an evaluative expression, strongly dismissing a statement or idea. It carries a tone of disbelief and scorn, similar to examples Ludwig provides.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Wiki

12%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "arrant nonsense" is a phrase used to express strong disagreement with something deemed absurd or untrue. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in news and media, though it can also be found in academic and informal contexts. While effective for conveying disbelief, be mindful of its slightly dismissive tone, which may not be suitable for all formal settings. Consider using synonyms like "complete rubbish" or "utter balderdash" depending on the context. The prevalence across diverse sources underscores its widespread understanding and utility in expressing strong opposition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complete rubbish

Emphasizes the worthlessness and lack of truth in something.

utter balderdash

A more whimsical and old-fashioned way to describe foolish talk or ideas.

pure poppycock

Highlights the silliness and lack of substance in a statement.

absolute hogwash

Indicates that something is completely false or nonsensical.

total bunkum

Suggests that something is deceptive or insincere, as well as being untrue.

plain foolishness

Directly labels something as lacking sense or wisdom.

blatant absurdity

Emphasizes the obvious and extreme nature of something's lack of reason.

ridiculous drivel

Highlights the boring and nonsensical quality of something.

patently false

Focuses on the clear and undeniable untruth of a statement.

arrant stupidity

Places emphasis on lack of intelligence

FAQs

How can I use "arrant nonsense" in a sentence?

You can use "arrant nonsense" to describe something you consider completely absurd or untrue. For example: "The suggestion that we should cut funding for education is "arrant nonsense"."

What does "arrant" mean in "arrant nonsense"?

"Arrant" is an adjective that means "complete; utter". It intensifies the meaning of "nonsense", emphasizing the absurdity of something.

Are there synonyms for "arrant nonsense" that I can use?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "complete rubbish", "utter balderdash", or "pure poppycock" depending on the context and desired tone.

Is "arrant nonsense" suitable for formal writing?

While "arrant nonsense" is widely understood, it can come across as dismissive. Consider using a more formal alternative like "patently false" or "blatant absurdity" in professional settings.