categorically opposed

USAGE SUMMARY

"categorically opposed" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a strong and absolute rejection or disagreement with something. For example: "The mayor was categorically opposed to any changes to the city's curfew policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

And he wasn't categorically opposed to one day having a child.

The New Yorker

Still, Ms. Parker is not categorically opposed to selling Bari Jay under the right circumstances.

The New York Times

And so far virtually all Senate Democrats are categorically opposed to the idea.

The Economist

"But I'm categorically opposed to fencing off the landscape," he said.

The New York Times

"We are always categorically opposed to any attempts at anti-constitutional activity.

The Guardian

The union president, David Giordano, said the union was not categorically opposed to firefighters' providing first aid.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Mr. Yassky, who says he categorically opposes the death penalty, was mostly philosophical about the charge.

The New York Times

Whatever his personal views, Paul categorically opposes the legal construct that ended state-sanctioned racism.

The Washington Post

"We do not categorically oppose oil development," said Stanley E. Senner, the executive director of the Alaska office of the National Audubon Society.

The New York Times - Science

Youssef Kalkouri, a Tubu lawmaker in the eastern Haftar-backed administration, told agencies his community categorically opposes Arab tribal forces entering their cities.

The Guardian

Mr. Blumenthal and officials from the three towns said they did not categorically oppose recognition for the tribes, but objected to what they called an unfair process.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "categorically opposed" when you want to express an unambiguous and emphatic disagreement. It suggests that there's no room for negotiation or compromise.

Common error

Avoid using multiple intensifiers with "categorically opposed". Saying "absolutely categorically opposed" is redundant and weakens the impact of your statement. Choose one strong word.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "categorically opposed" functions as a strong expression of disagreement or rejection. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and usable. It modifies a statement to indicate that there is no room for compromise or negotiation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Categorically opposed" is a powerful phrase used to express strong, unambiguous disagreement. As Ludwig AI affirms, it's grammatically sound and widely applicable. This phrase is versatile, appearing in various contexts from news reports and academic papers to formal business communications. The authoritative sources where this phrase is used, such as The New York Times and The Guardian, underscore its suitability for formal and professional discourse. When using "categorically opposed", ensure it accurately reflects the strength of your stance, and avoid redundant intensifiers to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely against

Indicates an unwavering and total disagreement.

totally against

Implies a complete and unwavering opposition.

completely against

Similar to 'absolutely against' but may suggest a more thorough consideration before opposition.

firmly against

Highlights a strong stance of opposition, implying a resolute position.

outright rejected

Emphasizes complete and immediate rejection, possibly without consideration.

vehemently object

Emphasizes a forceful and passionate objection.

strongly disapprove

Focuses on disapproval, suggesting a negative judgment rather than active resistance.

staunchly resist

Highlights active resistance and unwavering commitment to opposing something.

resolutely decline

Focuses on refusing to accept something, highlighting a firm decision.

flatly deny

Emphasizes a direct and unequivocal denial of something.

FAQs

How can I use "categorically opposed" in a sentence?

You can use "categorically opposed" to express a strong disagreement or rejection, as in "The committee was categorically opposed to the proposed changes".

What are some alternatives to "categorically opposed"?

Alternatives include "outright rejected", "firmly against", or "absolutely against", depending on the context and desired level of emphasis.

Is it appropriate to use "categorically opposed" in formal writing?

Yes, "categorically opposed" is suitable for formal writing when you need to express a clear and strong objection. Its use is observed across various source types including News & Media, Academia and Formal & Business.

What does "categorically" emphasize in "categorically opposed"?

The term "categorically" emphasizes that the opposition is unconditional, absolute, and without exception. It signifies a firm and decisive stance.