astronomically costly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "astronomically costly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is extremely expensive or has a very high cost. Example: "The new technology implementation was astronomically costly, far exceeding our initial budget estimates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

As Maier finished lunch — a salad — I asked him about the ethics of creating astronomically costly things when many people are having trouble meeting their food bills.

The New Yorker

Republicans and some prominent Democrats have sought to cast Medicare-for-all plans as astronomically costly — some studies have suggested they could increase government spending on health care by more than $25 trillion over a decade.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's astronomically high.

The Guardian

"That could get astronomically expensive".

The New Yorker

It was often astronomically expensive.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I feel astronomically better," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Rents and prices have risen astronomically.

The Guardian

Today, we are prepared for astronomically fast".

The New York Times

Furious 7 was an incredibly popular movie - astronomically so.

Independent

By the standards of other chilies, it is astronomically hot.

The Economist

But more of it seemed purely affective, astronomically tribal.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "astronomically costly", ensure the context supports the hyperbolic nature of the phrase. It's best suited for situations where the expense is truly exceptionally high.

Common error

Avoid using "astronomically costly" to describe moderately expensive items or situations. This diminishes the phrase's impact and can make your writing sound exaggerated or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "astronomically costly" functions as an intensifier modifying an adjective. The adverb "astronomically" amplifies the degree of costliness, indicating an exceptionally high price. Ludwig AI confirms that this usage is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "astronomically costly" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to describe something extremely expensive. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, its infrequent use, as indicated by only two exact matches, suggests that alternative phrases like "prohibitively expensive" or "exorbitantly priced" might be more common. Usage is mostly restricted to news and media contexts. Remember to use it when you aim to emphasize the exceptional high price of something, and avoid overuse in everyday scenarios to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prohibitively expensive

Emphasizes that the cost is so high it prevents purchase or action.

exorbitantly priced

Highlights the excessive nature of the pricing.

incredibly expensive

A more general term emphasizing the high price.

unfeasibly expensive

Focuses on the impracticality of the cost.

eye-wateringly expensive

An informal term suggesting a shockingly high price.

ruinously expensive

Implies the cost could lead to financial ruin.

excessively overpriced

Focuses on the unjustified high price.

unreasonably costly

Highlights the lack of reason for the high cost.

outrageously expensive

Emphasizes the offensiveness of the high price.

staggeringly costly

Highlights the shocking or overwhelming nature of the cost.

FAQs

How can I use "astronomically costly" in a sentence?

You can use "astronomically costly" to describe something that is extremely expensive. For example: "The new medical treatment proved to be "astronomically costly", making it inaccessible to most patients."

What are some alternatives to "astronomically costly"?

Alternatives include "prohibitively expensive", "exorbitantly priced", or "incredibly expensive", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "astronomically costly" a formal or informal expression?

"Astronomically costly" leans towards the formal side due to "astronomically", but context determines appropriateness. In very informal situations, alternatives like "eye-wateringly expensive" might be more fitting.

What makes something "astronomically costly" versus just "expensive"?

The term "astronomically costly" implies an extreme level of expense, far beyond what is normally considered just "expensive". It suggests a cost so high that it is almost beyond comprehension or justification.