baser urges

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "baser urges" is a valid and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to emotions that involve basic needs or desires, such as hunger, lust, or greed. For example, "Rather than giving into his baser urges, he managed to make a responsible decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"It's the height of disregard to America's investors to abolish the one agency that has done something to protect the public from the baser urges of Wall Street," Mr. Breeden said.

The New York Times

She should have wanted to handle the new body he'd built, use it to snuff out her baser urges, not that Roy offered it to her, but she asked that he keep it covered.

The New Yorker

You have to worry whether something that was intended to goose ratings and kick up debate could metastasize when it meets some of the baser urges of the fringe, among people who don't come out to rallies but are sitting in a basement steeped in their own misanthropy.

The New York Times

"It remains very much up to white America to control the baser urges of the call-to-whiteness," she concluded.

Huffington Post

Westworld's creators know you'll condemn its characters for their baser urges, but they also know you'll feel the thrill with each bloody confrontation.

Vice

As created by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, who wrote and directed "The Lego Movie," it is sweet and aspirational and heartfelt, though not so sweet or aspirational or heartfelt as to smother its baser urges.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

They believed that to go into debt was to indulge your basest urges and to surrender your future independence.

The New York Times

It is didactic in the extreme, motivated by an overwhelming desire to stop people drinking, and to rescue mankind from its own, basest urges.

The Guardian - Arts

Without him, Ireland lacked the creativity to break down a side that had been sent out with the base urges of manager Agelos Anastasiades as motivation.

The Guardian - Sport

Don't they have a clue how difficult going against my base urges is?

Huffington Post

She's a puppet, designed to say things that will stoke the basest urges in everyone around her.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "baser urges", ensure that the context clearly indicates the specific desires or impulses being referred to, whether they are related to greed, lust, or other fundamental human drives.

Common error

Avoid using "baser urges" as a vague term for any negative emotion. It specifically refers to fundamental, often selfish or instinctual, desires. Be precise about which urges you are describing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "baser urges" functions as a noun phrase. It describes the fundamental and often less admirable desires or impulses that drive human behavior. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and understandable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "baser urges" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe fundamental, often less admirable, human desires. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It carries a negative connotation and is often used to characterize motivations as selfish or immoral. While not overly formal, its usage should be carefully considered based on the context and target audience. Common alternatives include "lower impulses" and "basic instincts". Predominantly found in news and media, it’s essential to ensure clarity and avoid overgeneralization when employing this evocative phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lower impulses

This alternative replaces "urges" with "impulses" and "baser" with "lower", keeping a very similar meaning.

basic instincts

This phrase shifts the focus slightly from desires to inherent behavioral patterns, while still conveying a similar meaning.

animalistic desires

This alternative emphasizes the primal nature of the urges, focusing on the animalistic aspect.

primitive impulses

Replaces "baser" with "primitive", highlighting the unsophisticated and fundamental character of the impulses.

cruder instincts

This option utilizes "cruder" to describe the instincts, suggesting a lack of refinement.

earthly cravings

Switches from urges to cravings, specifically of an earthly or physical nature.

carnal desires

Focuses specifically on physical and sexual desires.

visceral urges

Replaces "baser" with "visceral", emphasizing the gut feeling and instinctual nature of the urges.

instinctual drives

Changes the phrasing to focus on drives rather than urges, still highlighting inherent instincts.

unrefined cravings

Highlights the lack of sophistication in the desires.

FAQs

How can I use "baser urges" in a sentence?

You can use "baser urges" to describe fundamental human desires, such as "He struggled to control his "baser urges" when presented with the opportunity for personal gain."

What are some synonyms for "baser urges"?

Alternatives include "lower impulses", "basic instincts", or "animalistic desires", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "baser urges" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "baser urges" can sound somewhat dramatic or literary. Consider the tone and audience; a more neutral phrase like "fundamental desires" might be more suitable for formal contexts.

What's the difference between "baser urges" and "higher aspirations"?

"Baser urges" refer to fundamental, often selfish or instinctual desires, while "higher aspirations" refer to nobler goals and ambitions. They represent opposite ends of the spectrum of human motivation.