as grotesque as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as grotesque as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to make a comparison, typically to emphasize the extreme nature of something that is considered grotesque. Example: "The painting was as grotesque as a nightmare, filled with twisted figures and unsettling colors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Its fecundity was as grotesque as it was shameless.

The New York Times - Books

His story "is as grotesque as a portrait by Arcimboldo..

The New York Times - Books

As grotesque as the scene at Wag 'n Bietjie was, the farmer gave Meyer unfettered access to his property.

Yale University

His features are just as grotesque as his manner: "His dark eyes were too bulbous and too close set.

The New York Times - Books

The portrait becomes as grotesque as his excesses, and when Dorian falls in love with a woman, he must keep the painting a secret.

The New York Times

Indeed, the straining is a part of its effect, describing not only a swamp but the author's language, its fecundity as grotesque as it is shameless.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Yet third-generation hereditary succession is as grotesque at Samsung as in Pyongyang.

The Economist

The Ministry of Special Cases begins as grotesque comedy and ends as high drama.

The Guardian - Books

And It does reflect a hard truth: that Simades and his ilivinge spittingd in yoking the nihilism of the rock age to a policing, rapacious conservatism.

The New Yorker

"It is a film just as grotesque and suicidal as its main character, in which magnificent scenes alternate with clumsy ones," she wrote.

Independent

When kids are affected like that, as they often are, this system of jailing people who can't pay fines is grotesque as well as Kafkaesque.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as grotesque as" to vividly compare something to a standard of extreme ugliness or abnormality, making your description more impactful. Consider the emotional effect you want to achieve; "grotesque" implies more than just ugliness – it suggests something disturbing or offensive.

Common error

Avoid using "as grotesque as" when you simply mean 'unpleasant' or 'unattractive'. "Grotesque" carries a strong connotation of distortion and repulsiveness, so reserve it for truly extreme cases to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as grotesque as" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to emphasize the degree to which something possesses the quality of being grotesque, by comparing it to a known or implied standard. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is suitable for making strong comparisons that highlight extreme ugliness or abnormality.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Wiki

8%

Opinion

4%

Less common in

Arts

4%

Lifestyle

4%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as grotesque as" is a comparative phrase used to describe something extremely repulsive or distorted. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and usable, but should be reserved for instances where a strong emotional impact is desired. While the phrase is relatively rare, it appears most frequently in "News & Media" contexts. When using "as grotesque as", be mindful of its strong connotation and consider alternative phrases like "as hideous as" or "as monstrous as" to fine-tune the intended effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as hideous as

Replaces "grotesque" with "hideous", emphasizing ugliness and repulsiveness.

as repulsive as

Substitutes "grotesque" with "repulsive", highlighting the ability to cause disgust.

as monstrous as

Replaces "grotesque" with "monstrous", stressing unnatural or frightening qualities.

as deformed as

Focuses specifically on distortions of form, differing from the broader sense of "grotesque".

as macabre as

Shifts the focus to the grim and horrifying aspects, often associated with death.

as bizarre as

Emphasizes strangeness and oddity, rather than inherent repulsiveness.

as unnatural as

Highlights a departure from what is considered normal or natural.

as shocking as

Focuses on the capacity to cause surprise and often dismay or offense.

as ugly as

Simplifies the comparison to basic unattractiveness, lacking the nuance of "grotesque".

as disfigured as

Focuses on the state of being damaged or marred in appearance.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "as grotesque as" in a sentence?

Use "as grotesque as" to draw a strong comparison, highlighting something's extreme repulsiveness or distorted appearance. For example, "The sculpture was "as grotesque as" a creature from a nightmare".

What are some synonyms for "as grotesque as" that I could use?

Alternatives include "as hideous as", "as repulsive as", or "as monstrous as", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "as grotesque as" in writing?

It's suitable when you want to emphasize an extreme level of ugliness, distortion, or repulsiveness. Be mindful of the strong emotional impact it carries, and use it when you want to evoke a sense of disgust or horror.

What's the difference between "as grotesque as" and "as ugly as"?

"As ugly as" simply denotes a lack of attractiveness. "As grotesque as", on the other hand, suggests a disturbing or offensive level of distortion and repulsiveness, implying something beyond mere ugliness.