as wretched as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as wretched as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to make a comparison, typically to emphasize the extreme negativity or unpleasantness of something. Example: "The weather was as wretched as it had been during the storm last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Meanwhile, Indiana's offense was as wretched as its defense.

The New York Times - Sports

For its residents, life has remained as wretched as ever.

The New York Times

As wretched as the BLT breakup has been, there was a time when the partners were welded by mutual need.

The New York Times - Food

Eriksen, the paper said, will be staying at Ajax if there are many more performances as wretched as this one.

The Guardian - Sport

Being young is rarely as unconflicted, nor old as wretched, as the stereotypes would have us believe.

The Guardian

We are so exhausted that, even as wretched as we are, we could probably manage to sleep, but at 3 a.m. the room is rocked with noise.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Most of his work is as wretched, narcissistic and low as it sounds.

The Guardian

The mosque was supposed to signify the revival of those expelled, the Crimean Tatars, a Turkic ethnic group that suffered as wretched a fate as any under Communism.

The New York Times

The Killing Joke didn't have to be as wretched in cartoon form as it turned out to be, but remaking it was always going to be a bad idea.

The Guardian - Film

On a tour through the south-eastern state of Andhra Pradesh, which has a fifth of India's estimated 2.5m HIV cases, Kiran Desai meets women of several hereditary prostitute castes, including relatively affluent beauties who are apparently not unhappy with their lot, as well as wretched sex slaves, pimped by their neighbours.

The Economist

Here they are, in no particular order of how much they made me snort: IVA, clued as "Sal's other half" (think about it) SORRY, clued as "Wretched Hindu garment, say" PALPATE, clued as "Touch the head of a friend" ANKLET, clued as "Sock for Ellen (or LN) and Kate" BIG HORN, clued simply as "H/N" There are many others, but, as always, why should I have all the fun?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "as wretched as", ensure the comparison enhances the impact of your writing by vividly illustrating the extent of negativity or misery.

Common error

Avoid using "as wretched as" in lighthearted or informal situations. The phrase carries a heavy connotation of suffering and misery, which may be inappropriate for everyday conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as wretched as" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to describe something by comparing it to a state or condition of extreme misery, poor quality, or unpleasantness. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as wretched as" is a comparative phrase used to describe something by equating it to a state of extreme unpleasantness. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, and less frequently in academic or informal settings. When using "as wretched as", be mindful of its strong negative connotation and ensure it aligns with the overall tone of your writing. While several alternatives exist—such as "as miserable as" or "as awful as"—each carries slightly different nuances. Consider the specific context to choose the most appropriate phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as miserable as

Replaces "wretched" with a more common synonym emphasizing unhappiness.

as awful as

Substitutes "wretched" with a simpler term indicating extreme unpleasantness.

as terrible as

Uses "terrible" instead of "wretched", conveying a strong sense of negativity.

as dreadful as

Replaces "wretched" with a word highlighting fear and unpleasantness.

as pathetic as

Substitutes "wretched" to emphasize a feeling of pity or inadequacy.

as hopeless as

Replaces "wretched" to denote the absence of hope or positive prospects.

as deplorable as

Employs a more formal substitute for "wretched", indicating strong disapproval.

as unfortunate as

Uses a milder term than "wretched", focusing on bad luck or negative circumstances.

as grim as

Replace "wretched" with a term that suggests something is unpleasant and depressing.

as unbearable as

Changes "wretched" to stress the extreme difficulty in tolerating something.

FAQs

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

You can use "as wretched as" to compare something to a state of extreme unhappiness or poor quality. For example, "The food was "as wretched as" the service."

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

You can use alternatives like "as miserable as", "as awful as", or "as terrible as" depending on the context.

Is "as wretched as" formal or informal?

"As wretched as" leans towards formal usage due to the intensity of the word "wretched". Simpler alternatives like "as bad as" might be more appropriate for informal contexts.

What's the difference between "as wretched as" and "as unfortunate as"?

"As wretched as" emphasizes a state of extreme misery or poor quality, while "as unfortunate as" focuses more on bad luck or unfavorable circumstances. The phrase "as wretched as" is stronger and carries a heavier emotional weight.