as a cesspool of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a cesspool of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a place or situation that is considered to be morally or socially corrupt or unpleasant. Example: "The city was often described as a cesspool of crime and corruption, making it difficult for residents to feel safe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

basketball as a cesspool of corruption.

The New York Times - Books

They depicted Goldman as a cesspool of tipsters feeding Mr. Rajaratnam inside information.

The New York Times

Will the London Olympics one day be remembered as a cesspool of electronic negativity?

The New York Times

That is, Hotmail still suffers from its early image as a cesspool of spam, fake addresses and blinking ads.

The New York Times - Tech

Ardent conservatives, including those in the Tea Party movement, regard the Capitol as a cesspool of corruption, and they see compromise as betrayal.

The New Yorker

As part of their defense strategy, Mr. Gupta's lawyers are expected to vilify Goldman, depicting it as a cesspool of tipsters indiscriminately feeding inside information to Mr. Rajaratnam.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

As such, Kills' social media has become a cesspool of insults and trolling as people gleefully share how disgusted they are with her and her husband.

Vice

The Internet, as everyone knows, can be a cesspool of lies and misinformation that spreads at the speed of light.

Forbes

Without S.E.C. enforcement, Wall Street would degenerate into a cesspool of conspiratorial tipping — as it was before the agency existed.

The New York Times - Magazine

Firelink becomes, as one character puts it late in the game, a "cesspool of doddering old-folk and degenerates".

The Guardian - Tech

As a result, email and the Internet has become a cesspool of Spam and phishing.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as a cesspool of" when you want to strongly criticize a place, situation or entity for being morally corrupt or filled with undesirable elements. The phrase is highly evocative and should be employed judiciously for maximum impact.

Common error

Avoid using "as a cesspool of" in contexts that do not warrant such strong negative connotations. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic or sensationalist when a milder term is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a cesspool of" functions as a predicative expression. It ascribes a negative quality or characteristic to a subject, describing it as morally corrupt or filled with undesirable elements. Ludwig provides various examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as a cesspool of" is a powerful expression used to criticize and condemn entities or situations perceived as deeply corrupt or undesirable. As Ludwig AI indicated, it is grammatically correct and commonly found in news and media sources. While impactful, it should be used judiciously, avoiding overuse in neutral contexts to maintain its potency. Alternatives such as "as a hotbed of" or "as a breeding ground for" may be considered for nuanced expression. Its function is primarily to express strong disapproval, contributing to its prominence in contexts requiring emphatic denunciation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a hotbed of

Emphasizes the rapid growth and concentration of negative elements.

as a den of

Suggests a hidden or secretive place where immoral activities occur.

as a breeding ground for

Highlights the conditions that allow something negative to develop and spread.

as a sinkhole of

Implies a place where resources or positive qualities are lost or disappear.

as a vortex of

Conveys a sense of being trapped or consumed by negative forces.

as a swamp of

Suggests a messy and morally corrupt situation.

as a pit of

Emphasizes the depth and unpleasantness of the situation.

as a hive of

Highlights the active and numerous presence of undesirable elements.

as a well of

Emphasizes the abundant and continuous supply of negative qualities.

as a quagmire of

Suggests a complex and difficult situation to escape from.

FAQs

How can I use "as a cesspool of" in a sentence?

You can use "as a cesspool of" to describe something that is perceived as extremely corrupt or unpleasant. For instance, "The internet is often described as "as a cesspool of" misinformation".

What are some alternatives to "as a cesspool of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "as a hotbed of", "as a den of", or "as a breeding ground for".

When is it appropriate to use "as a cesspool of"?

It is appropriate to use "as a cesspool of" when you want to express strong disapproval or disgust towards something that you consider morally or ethically tainted. It is often used to criticize institutions, systems, or environments perceived as deeply flawed.

Is "as a cesspool of" a formal or informal expression?

"As a cesspool of" is generally considered an informal and highly expressive phrase. While it can be used in news and media, it's less common in formal academic writing. Choose your words according to the context.