completely preposterous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "completely preposterous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is utterly ridiculous or nonsensical. Example: "The idea that we could travel back in time using a toaster is completely preposterous."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

It is briefly arresting but completely preposterous.

The Guardian - Arts

Greste's father said the claims against him were "completely preposterous".

The Guardian

"Any such limits would be completely preposterous," she said.

The New York Times

And so "The Campaign" wobbles between the vaguely topical and the completely preposterous.

The New York Times

The combination was implausible but not completely preposterous, since Nirvana did have a Beatles streak.

The New York Times

A lot of the developments in "The Finder" are completely preposterous, if you stop to think about them.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

It's all preposterous.

Huffington Post

And the director, Martin Campbell, manages, until matters turn completely bloody and preposterous in the third act, to inject a few subtle touches.

The New York Times

Because she can only become a household name by breaking the world record, and the world record in the women's hundred metres is unbreakable: Florence Griffith Joyner's completely and utterly preposterous 10.49, from 1988.

The New Yorker

Experts in international law consider it "preposterous and completely implausible" that the president would be unaware of systematic and widespread killing and torture.

The Guardian

BEIRUT -- Syrian President Bashar Assad labeled allegations that Syrian forces deployed chemical weapons as "preposterous" and "completely politicized," according to comments published Monday from an interview with a Russian newspaper.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "completely preposterous" when you want to express strong disagreement or disbelief in a situation or statement that you find utterly ridiculous. It's suitable for expressing a firm, often dismissive, opinion.

Common error

While "completely preposterous" is effective, avoid using it repeatedly in a short span. Overuse can weaken the impact. Instead, vary your language with synonyms like "utterly absurd" or "totally ridiculous" to maintain a dynamic tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely preposterous" functions as an intensifier followed by an adjective, used to strongly emphasize the absurdity or ridiculousness of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct. This intensifies the adjective, making the statement more forceful.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Books

14%

Opinion

6%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Lifestyle

2%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "completely preposterous" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe something as utterly ridiculous or absurd. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It functions as an intensifier and adjective, lending strong emphasis when expressing disbelief or disagreement. While found across diverse sources, it most frequently appears in News & Media. Alternatives such as "utterly absurd" or "totally ridiculous" can provide variety, but it's essential to consider the context to maintain the desired impact without overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly absurd

Emphasizes the lack of reason or sense.

totally ridiculous

Highlights the laughable nature of something.

absolutely ludicrous

Stresses the foolishness and unreasonableness.

entirely nonsensical

Focuses on the lack of coherent meaning.

patently absurd

Highlights the obviousness of the absurdity.

downright laughable

Emphasizes the comedic quality of the idea or situation.

thoroughly unreasonable

Focuses on the lack of logical justification.

manifestly false

Stresses the clear and undeniable untruthfulness.

blatantly untrue

Highlights the obviousness and audacity of the falsehood.

wholly unfounded

Emphasizes the lack of any factual basis.

FAQs

What does "completely preposterous" mean?

It means something is utterly absurd, ridiculous, or nonsensical. It expresses strong disbelief or disagreement.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "completely preposterous"?

It's appropriate when you want to strongly express that you think something is ridiculous or absurd, and often to dismiss an idea or statement.

What are some alternatives to saying "completely preposterous"?

You can use alternatives like "utterly absurd", "totally ridiculous", or "absolutely ludicrous" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "completely preposterous" formal or informal?

It leans towards neutral but can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the overall tone and audience. It's generally acceptable in most writing and speaking situations.