as monstrous as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as monstrous as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to make a comparison, typically to emphasize the extreme nature of something in a negative or exaggerated way. Example: "The villain in the story was as monstrous as the darkest nightmares of the townspeople."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Gregor's body is as monstrous as his life is sad.

The Guardian - Books

Stefan Spoerri, a burly fishing guide Wade had hired, agreed that muskies were as monstrous as the Delaware gets.

The New Yorker

But at best Messager's work is as accessible as it is sinister; as monstrous as it is funny.

The Guardian - Arts

As monstrous as Gordon Lish's ego may have been, at least he cared about literature and made possible Carver's publication.

The New York Times

She suggests that the supposed space creatures were human guinea pigs, the results of American experiments as monstrous as the Nazi ones conducted by Josef Mengele.

The New York Times - Books

Buccmaster, the book's protagonist, turns back to the old gods when his life is shattered; but his rage renders him as monstrous as his antagonists.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

The sequence is as monstrous in its content as it is astounding in its imaginative power.

The New Yorker

The film treats him, even at his worst, with compassion, and Mr. Persbrandt makes him magnetic as well as monstrous and pathetic.

The New York Times

They lost touch with her and became famous performers, appearing as monstrous caricatures such as "sheep-headed cannibals" or "ambassadors from Mars".

The Guardian - Film

It's a party that sees modest efforts to improve Americans' economic and health security not merely as unwise, but as monstrous.

The New York Times

Everything about this performance is first rate – from Mark Wigglesworth's beautifully detailed and expansive conducting, through Alfie Boe's Kudriash, Anna Grevelius's Varvara and Clive Bayley's Dikoy to the leading roles, with Racette and Skelton counterpointed with Susan Bickley's Kabanicha, as monstrous of character as of coiffeur.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as monstrous as", ensure the comparison is clear and emphasizes the extreme degree of the quality being described. This construction is most effective when highlighting something exceptionally negative or shocking.

Common error

Avoid using "as monstrous as" in contexts where a milder comparison is intended. The phrase is strong and should be reserved for situations where the subject truly warrants such an intense description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as monstrous as" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, used to emphasize the extreme degree of a negative quality. It follows the structure of as + adjective + as, and it's used to compare two things that share a similar, very negative attribute. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Books

20%

Arts

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Sport

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as monstrous as" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed comparative phrase designed to highlight something that is shockingly bad or ugly. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. Predominantly found in News & Media, Books, and Arts contexts, it effectively conveys extreme disapproval or shock. While the phrase has a neutral register, writers should be mindful of its intense nature and reserve its use for appropriate situations. Alternatives such as "just as horrific as" or "equally appalling to" can be used for nuanced expression. Remember to keep the comparison point clear to maximize the impact of the description. The examples on Ludwig show a good variety of contexts for this expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just as horrific as

Replaces "monstrous" with "horrific" to focus on the terrifying nature.

every bit as dreadful as

Substitutes "monstrous" with "dreadful" indicating extreme unpleasantness.

as terrifying as

Focuses on the fear-inducing aspect, using "terrifying" in place of "monstrous".

equally appalling to

Changes the phrasing to emphasize the feeling of being appalling or shocking.

comparably gruesome to

Replaces "monstrous" with "gruesome" emphasizing the shocking and horrifying aspect.

equally ghastly to

Employs "ghastly" to highlight the horrifying and repulsive nature.

comparably atrocious to

Uses "atrocious" to denote something shockingly bad or brutal.

just as hideous as

Replaces "monstrous" with "hideous", emphasizing ugliness.

every bit as vile as

Uses "vile" to indicate something extremely unpleasant or morally bad.

as outrageous as

Focuses on the shocking or unacceptable quality, using "outrageous".

FAQs

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

Use "as monstrous as" to compare something to something else that is extremely shocking, terrible, or ugly. For example, "The villain's actions were "as monstrous as" the darkest nightmares."

What's a less intense alternative to "as monstrous as"?

If you don't want to use such a strong phrase, consider alternatives like "very bad", "extremely unpleasant", or "shockingly awful" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "as monstrous as" or "so monstrous as"?

"As monstrous as" is the more common and grammatically sound construction for making comparisons. "So monstrous as" is less frequently used and can sound awkward in modern English.

What's the difference between "as monstrous as" and "as terrifying as"?

While both phrases describe something negative, ""as monstrous as"" suggests something shockingly bad or ugly, whereas "as terrifying as" emphasizes its ability to cause fear.