definitely insane

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "definitely insane" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is unquestionably irrational or absurd. Example: "The idea of jumping off a cliff without any safety gear is definitely insane."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

They are not devil-worshippers, but they are definitely insane.

Vice

I picked up the customer, and then another cabbie followed me and pulled up beside me and yelled, "Don't take money from that customer or I will come and fuck your mother!" He was definitely insane.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

This definitely screams "insane".

WikiHow

(Maybe not exactly that trade, but definitely something bordering on insane like that).

The Guardian - Sport

He is probably borderline insane, and definitely suicidal; although the novel has a third-person narrator, it is every bit as inflamed as "Hunger".

The New Yorker

Grandpa Royce is a little insane, and definitely a conspiracy theorist.

Huffington Post

So it's completely insane what I am doing and definitely a huge challenge".

The New York Times - Arts

So, in the Great War between rational and good-hearted humanists and insane religious fundamentals, this skirmish was definitely won by the former.

Vice

And third, the White House will definitely reject any demand, anyway, unless everyone there goes temporarily insane.

Huffington Post

This is not to say that you have to look like a model, but you definitely shouldn't look like you just escaped the local insane asylum.

WikiHow

Your cast was quite unique in that you all had insane real-life names: Penn Badgely, Leighton Meester, Blake Lively, Chace Crawford, I mean – We definitely noted that.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "definitely insane" to emphasize a strong opinion that something is not only irrational but undeniably so. It's effective when you want to express a sense of incredulity or strong disagreement.

Common error

Avoid using "definitely insane" in formal or academic writing. While grammatically sound, it can come across as too informal or subjective. Opt for more neutral and objective language, such as "highly irrational" or "demonstrably illogical".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "definitely insane" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun. It serves to intensify the degree of insanity, indicating a strong and certain assessment. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and appropriateness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "definitely insane" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase used to strongly emphasize that something is irrational or absurd. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. While its frequency is rare, it's primarily found in news and media contexts and less common in formal academic writing. When using the phrase, consider the register of your writing and opt for more neutral alternatives in formal settings. Related phrases include "absolutely mad" and "certainly crazy", offering similar emphasis with slightly different wording.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely mad

Replaces "insane" with "mad" and "definitely" with "absolutely", emphasizing the intensity.

certainly crazy

Substitutes "insane" with "crazy" and "definitely" with "certainly", keeping a similar level of emphasis.

undeniably irrational

Replaces "insane" with "irrational" and "definitely" with "undeniably", providing a more formal tone.

patently absurd

Replaces "definitely insane" with "patently absurd", implying that the idea is obviously ridiculous.

clearly unhinged

Uses "unhinged" instead of "insane" and "clearly" instead of "definitely", suggesting a loss of mental stability.

without a doubt, deranged

Emphasizes certainty using "without a doubt" and replaces "insane" with "deranged", highlighting severe mental disturbance.

completely ludicrous

Replaces "definitely insane" with "completely ludicrous", indicating utter foolishness.

genuinely nonsensical

Uses "nonsensical" in place of "insane" and "genuinely" for "definitely", focusing on the lack of logic.

positively batty

Replaces "insane" with "batty" and "definitely" with "positively", offering a more playful and informal tone.

downright daft

Uses "daft" instead of "insane" and "downright" for "definitely", suggesting foolishness or silliness.

FAQs

How can I use "definitely insane" in a sentence?

You can use "definitely insane" to describe actions, ideas, or situations that you consider extremely irrational or foolish. For example, "Trying to climb that mountain in flip-flops is "definitely insane"."

What are some alternatives to saying "definitely insane"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "absolutely mad", "certainly crazy", or "undeniably irrational".

Is it appropriate to use "definitely insane" in professional communication?

While grammatically correct, "definitely insane" may be too informal for professional settings. Consider using a more neutral phrase like "highly questionable" or "extremely imprudent".

What's the difference between "definitely insane" and "slightly mad"?

"Definitely insane" suggests a strong and clear assessment of irrationality, whereas "slightly mad" implies a milder and perhaps more endearing form of eccentricity. The former conveys a stronger sense of disapproval or disbelief.