blinding

USAGE SUMMARY

'blinding' is a correct and usable word in written English.
The word 'blinding' is used as an adjective to describe something that is dazzlingly or excessively bright, such as a flash of light or the reflection off of something. For example, "The sun was so bright that I had to shield my eyes from the blinding light."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Specially trained dogs, sent in from the United States and Mexico, sniffed for the living and the dead under the blinding sun.

The Guardian

Just when it thought it had dealt with one storm over colourful language on-air, the BBC is dragged effing and blinding into another one.

The Guardian

An "obsession" with fracking is blinding the government to greener sources of energy, according to proponents who claim the economy will miss out on up to £3bn a year and tens of thousands of jobs by failing to exploit organic biogas.

The Guardian

"Now I felt sick," he continues, "and I had this blinding headache.

The Guardian

The pentaquark story was ultimately resolved by constant questioning within the scientific community, and while I hesitate to claim causality, blinding techniques in today's experiments are far tighter than they were back then.

The Economist

The worms work their way through the skin and behind the eyes, blinding the most unfortunate of their victims.No longer a scourge, riverblindness is now an icon: a symbol of what aid to Africa can accomplish.

The Economist

But their empire overextended itself, and by 1018 Basil II, the Byzantine emperor, had reconquered the area, allegedly blinding some 15,000 prisoners in the process.In 1185 two brothers from Turnovo succeeded in throwing off the yoke of Constantinople once again.

The Economist

Even colleagues with coveted press tickets complained about having to crane their necks upwards in order to see the president, who stood under a blinding but ineffective sun (which some in the crowd undoubtedly mistook for a halo).One Obama supporter casually blamed George Bush for her being turned away from the parade route he was, after all, still the president.

The Economist

If that happens, Alice and Bob can ditch the compromised key and ask for another.However, if Eve can somehow tinker with the sending and receiving equipment (for example by blinding it with a special kind of laser, as happened in one famous quantum hack in 2010, or getting the manufacturer to do something similar), she can hide her disruption, leaving Bob and Alice none the wiser.

The Economist

When looked for with proper blinding, the previously ubiquitous pentaquarks disappeared.Other data-heavy disciplines face similar challenges.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

An obvious problem is that self-quantification experiments lack the rigorous controls and double-blinding of pharmaceutical trials.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "blinding" to describe not only physical light but also metaphorical situations where something obscures clarity, such as "blinding" ambition or "blinding" ignorance.

Common error

Avoid overusing "blinding" in contexts where a milder adjective would suffice. Reserve it for truly intense or overwhelming situations to maintain its impact. For example, instead of a "blinding" headache, consider "severe" or "intense" if it doesn't completely incapacitate you.

Linguistic Context

The word "blinding" primarily functions as an adjective. Ludwig AI confirms that it modifies nouns, describing something as intensely bright or overwhelming, as seen in examples like "blinding sun" or "blinding headache". It can also be used metaphorically.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

6%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "blinding" is an adjective used to describe something intensely bright or overwhelming, as also stated by Ludwig AI. It functions to emphasize extreme intensity, and it appears across various registers, most commonly in news and media sources. Its metaphorical use extends to situations where clarity is obscured. While grammatically correct, avoid overuse and reserve it for truly intense situations. Alternatives include "dazzling", "overpowering", and "intense". Remember to consider the context to maintain impact and relevance when using the word "blinding".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dazzling

Emphasizes a brilliant and impressive quality, focusing more on the visual spectacle.

overpowering

Highlights the overwhelming nature of something, shifting focus from sight to general impact.

intense

Focuses on the high degree or strength of something, applicable to sensations beyond just sight.

radiant

Suggests a glowing quality, emphasizing the emission of light rather than its intensity.

brilliant

Implies exceptional brightness or intelligence, broadening the application beyond literal sight.

extreme

Indicates the furthest point or degree of something, applicable in various contexts.

overwhelming

Emphasizes the sensation of being completely affected by something, not limited to visual experiences.

stunning

Highlights the strikingly impressive or beautiful nature of something.

acute

Focuses on the sharpness or severity, applicable to pain, senses, or situations.

severe

Indicates a serious or harsh quality, extending to situations beyond sensory experiences.

FAQs

How can "blinding" be used in a sentence?

You can use "blinding" to describe something that is intensely bright: "The sun had a "blinding glare"." It can also describe something that obscures judgment: "His passion was a "blinding force"."

What can I say instead of "blinding"?

Alternatives include "dazzling", "overpowering", or "intense", depending on the specific context you're using it in.

Is it correct to use "blinding" metaphorically?

Yes, "blinding" can be used metaphorically to describe anything that obscures clear thinking or perception, such as "blinding ambition" or "blinding faith".

How does "blinding" differ from "bright"?

"Bright" simply indicates the presence of light, whereas "blinding" implies an intensity of light that is so strong it can impair vision. "Blinding" suggests an overwhelming effect that "bright" does not convey. You can say the sun is bright, but a "blinding flash" is much more intense.