crushingly heavy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crushingly heavy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is extremely heavy, either literally or metaphorically, often conveying a sense of overwhelming weight or burden. Example: "The emotional toll of the situation felt crushingly heavy, making it difficult for her to cope."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

First would come the crushingly heavy wheels of his argument.

The Guardian - Opinion

Crushingly heavy as it is, the sound has a calm, yogic center, earning its power and volume; it can feel as if the band couldn't go wrong.

The New York Times - Arts

His father, Keith, was the soundman for a local R&B band and bought a Shure PA system, which Herc souped up until it was as crushingly heavy as a Jamaican sound system.

The Guardian - Music

In particular, Woolf applauded the comic perfection of the scene at Kilvert's cousin Maria's funeral in Worcester cathedral where, in a sequence of brilliant descriptive strokes, the pallbearers are depicted staggering under the weight of the "crushingly heavy" coffin, which threatens at times to topple over and kill or maim them.

The Guardian - Books

Smith dismissed her symptoms as pneumonia, even though her 4-week-old baby felt crushingly heavy on her chest.

Huffington Post

Both Bristol and York are in the top 20 most affordable places to be a student, so even though young people at the cities' institutions are shouldering the often crushingly heavy burden of £9,000-a-year tuition fees, rent and general living costs are lower than in many other student cities.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

As bone-crushingly heavy basslines strafe the room, he repeats a lyrical motif that boasts: "Might run for the next election".

The Guardian - Music

That was the year Ivan Sutherland at M.I.T. unveiled his "head-mounted display," which quickly earned the ominous nickname Sword of Damocles: a terrifying room-size V.R. machine, with a helmet so spine-crushingly heavy that it needed to be supported by a mechanical arm suspended from the ceiling.

The New York Times - Magazine

The album material is of a piece with Benga and Skream's club-minded solo tracks, so even a song like Top 10 hit I Need Air, with its corny, trance-style synth motif, becomes crushingly, antisocially heavy.

The Guardian - Music

Android is crushingly programmer heavy.

TechCrunch

To change one's destiny seems — and statistically is — crushingly hard.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context: "Crushingly heavy" is most effective when conveying a sense of being overwhelmed or oppressed by weight or responsibility.

Common error

Avoid using "crushingly heavy" to describe trivial matters. Its intensity is best reserved for significant burdens or overwhelming situations to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crushingly heavy" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to emphasize the intensity and overwhelming nature of its weight, whether literal or figurative. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is used to convey a strong sense of burden.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "crushingly heavy" is a descriptive adjective phrase used to convey an overwhelming sense of weight or burden. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While relatively rare, its appearance in reputable news and media sources like The Guardian and The New York Times demonstrates its appropriateness for formal writing. When using this phrase, be mindful of its intensity, reserving it for situations where you want to emphasize the significant impact of a heavy burden. Alternatives include "overwhelmingly heavy" or "immensely heavy", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Overwhelmingly heavy

Highlights the overpowering nature of the weight.

Oppressively heavy

Emphasizes the feeling of being weighed down or burdened.

Immensely heavy

Emphasizes the large scale or degree of the weight.

Staggeringly heavy

Suggests that the weight is so great it causes one to falter.

Extremely heavy

Focuses on the sheer weight without necessarily implying an emotional burden.

Terribly heavy

Indicates a significant degree of weight.

Cripplingly heavy

Highlights the disabling or debilitating effect of the weight.

Excruciatingly heavy

Emphasizes the painful aspect of the heaviness.

Incredibly heavy

Highlights the surprising or unbelievable nature of the weight.

Unbearably heavy

Implies that the weight is too much to handle.

FAQs

How can I use "crushingly heavy" in a sentence?

You can use "crushingly heavy" to describe something that feels overwhelmingly burdensome, such as "The responsibility of leading the project felt "crushingly heavy" on her shoulders".

What phrases are similar to "crushingly heavy"?

Similar phrases include "overwhelmingly heavy", "immensely heavy", or "oppressively heavy", each conveying a strong sense of weight or burden.

Is "crushingly heavy" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "crushingly heavy" is appropriate for formal writing when you want to emphasize the intense and burdensome nature of something. However, consider alternatives like "extremely heavy" if a more neutral tone is needed.

What is the difference between "crushingly heavy" and "very heavy"?

"Crushingly heavy" implies a sense of being overwhelmed or burdened by the weight, while "very heavy" simply describes the physical weight. The former carries a stronger emotional connotation.