as hideous as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as hideous as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to make a comparison, typically to describe something that is extremely ugly or unpleasant in appearance or nature. Example: "The abandoned house was as hideous as a nightmare, with broken windows and overgrown weeds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Please tell me it's as hideous as it sounds.

The Guardian - Film

There never lived a man as hideous as Quilp.

The New Yorker

Beverly's not as hideous as Jill in Nighty Night but she's relentless and domineering.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Let's hope the play on the field is not quite as hideous as the trophy itself, which was an abomination.

The New York Times

It's as hideous as it sounds...the less said about Knightley's wince-inducing "comic" turn the better.

Independent

There was mass torture as hideous as anything seen in Argentina and Brazil in the days of their military juntas.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

It's as hideous and pervasive, she says, as "cockroaches and rats".

The New York Times

The trustful Dutch overwhelmed - their beloved and respected Sovereign driven into exile - the peaceful city of Rotterdam the scene of a massacre as hideous and brutal as anything in the Thirty Years War.

The Guardian

When the two Annunciations and other Ofili sculptures were shown at Zwirner in 2007, they struck one critic as "hideous" and another as "so over the top it feels fatuous," but Ofili brushes this sort of thing aside.

The New Yorker

To think of her as not just dead but murdered, as everyone from the governor of Connecticut to the medical detectives working on her case believe she was -- by breathing in as hideous a thing as anthrax, no less -- is like a kick in the gut to people here.

The New York Times

"How was the trip?" "Hideous, as usual".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as hideous as" to add emphasis when describing something particularly unpleasant or ugly, making sure the comparison is clear and impactful for your reader.

Common error

Avoid using "as hideous as" in formal or professional writing where a more neutral or objective description is required. Opt for terms like "unattractive" or "undesirable" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as hideous as" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun by emphasizing its extreme ugliness or unpleasantness through comparison. Ludwig provides real-world examples showcasing its use in describing various subjects, from physical appearances to situations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Lifestyle

11%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as hideous as" is a comparative phrase used to describe something extremely ugly or unpleasant. While grammatically sound and usable as confirmed by Ludwig, it is more appropriate for informal and creative writing than for formal or professional contexts. It appears most frequently in news and lifestyle media, and can be replaced by alternatives such as "as ugly as" or "as repulsive as" for similar effect. Ludwig examples showcase the phrase's versatility in conveying strong negative evaluations across various subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as ugly as

Replaces "hideous" with a more common synonym for ugliness.

as repulsive as

Focuses on the repelling nature of something, similar to hideousness.

as dreadful as

Emphasizes the terrible or awful quality, broadening the context slightly.

as ghastly as

Highlights the shocking or horrifying nature, similar to extreme ugliness.

as awful as

Uses a more general term for something very bad or unpleasant.

as monstrous as

Suggests something is unnaturally or frighteningly ugly.

as grotesque as

Indicates a bizarre or distorted ugliness.

as unsightly as

Refers specifically to something unpleasant to look at.

as unattractive as

A more neutral way to describe something not pleasing to the eye.

as unappealing as

Focuses on the lack of appeal or attractiveness.

FAQs

What does "as hideous as" mean?

The phrase "as hideous as" is used to compare something to a standard of extreme ugliness or unpleasantness. It implies that whatever is being described is exceptionally unattractive or offensive.

How can I use "as hideous as" in a sentence?

Use "as hideous as" to emphasize the extreme ugliness or unpleasantness of something by comparing it to a well-known or understood standard. For example, "The abandoned house was "as hideous as" a nightmare".

What can I say instead of "as hideous as"?

You can use alternatives like "as ugly as", "as repulsive as", or "as dreadful as" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "as hideous as" appropriate for all types of writing?

While grammatically correct, "as hideous as" is best suited for informal or creative writing. In more formal or professional contexts, consider using less emotionally charged alternatives like "unattractive" or "undesirable".