deliberately dense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deliberately dense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is intentionally complicated or difficult to understand, often in a context where clarity is expected. Example: "The author's writing style is deliberately dense, making it challenging for readers to grasp the main ideas without careful analysis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The typography of The Times is deliberately dense, giving an impression of substance.

The New York Times

The answer to this sophistry (I've never figured out whether these people are being deliberately dense, or just doing what comes naturally) is that it depends what causes the growth.

The New York Times

Thus, the use of a deliberately dense panel of local SNPs, such as that used in this study, may reveal associations between the novel endometrial cancer risk SNPs and other cancers.

Human Genetics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Deliberately slow".

The New Yorker

It deliberately recalls the dense and microtonal choral parts of György Ligeti compositions, where members of a choir would sing at half steps from each other, forming nervous, wavering textures.

The Guardian - Music

Ray Hopewood, played by Greg Wrangler, who also portrayed the dodgy salesman in the campaign last fall, is deliberately being presented as a dense, clueless kind of candidate.

The New York Times

She attributed the success of the title to "deliberately making Vogue a complicated and dense magazine that isn't easy to just flick through".

The Guardian

This is dense, complex, heady and sometimes deliberately puzzling.

The Guardian - Arts

It is written in Banville's customary prose, rhythmic and allusive and dense with suggestive imagery, prose that deliberately slows you down and frequently wrongfoots you.

The Guardian - Books

Each unique print, about the size of a movie poster, is a dense pattern of dots created by the deliberately misaligned overlay of two negatives.

The New Yorker

While much contemporary art is deliberately ambiguous, Abu Hamdan's is precise, political, research-driven, and dense with ideas.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "deliberately dense", ensure the context clarifies why the density is intentional. Is it for artistic effect, to obscure information, or for some other purpose? Clarifying the motive enhances understanding.

Common error

Avoid assuming negative intent when you encounter something "deliberately dense". The density might serve a legitimate purpose, such as protecting sensitive information or creating a complex aesthetic. Consider the context before judging the intent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deliberately dense" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, modifying a noun to describe a quality that has been intentionally imbued. Ludwig AI confirms its usability to describe something intentionally complex. In essence, it attributes purpose to complexity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deliberately dense" is a grammatically sound phrase, used to describe something intentionally complicated. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is appropriate to use in written English. Although it's relatively rare, with just a few examples identified by Ludwig, it appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. The phrase often implies purpose behind complexity, which can be for artistic reasons, obscurity, or security. When using "deliberately dense", it's important to consider the context to understand the intent and avoid misinterpretations. More common synonyms include "intentionally complex" or "purposely convoluted".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intentionally complex

Focuses on the intended complexity without necessarily implying obscurity.

purposely convoluted

Emphasizes the winding and complicated nature of something done on purpose.

designedly intricate

Highlights the deliberate design aspect making it intricate.

calculatedly obscure

Stresses the intention to make something unclear or hidden.

consciously complicated

Highlights the awareness and intention behind the complication.

knowingly abstruse

Implies a deliberate choice of language or style that is difficult to understand.

artificially thickened

Suggests that the density is created artificially, not naturally present.

studiedly opaque

Suggests a careful and deliberate effort to make something not transparent or clear.

willfully impenetrable

Implies a stubborn refusal to be understood or accessed.

affectedly profound

Suggests that the depth or complexity is put on for show, not genuinely present.

FAQs

How can I use "deliberately dense" in a sentence?

You can use "deliberately dense" to describe writing, arguments, or designs that are intentionally complicated or difficult to understand. For example, "The legal jargon was "deliberately dense", making it hard for the average person to comprehend."

What are some alternatives to "deliberately dense"?

Alternatives include "intentionally complex", "purposely convoluted", or "calculatedly obscure", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "deliberately dense" negative?

Not necessarily. While it can imply an intent to confuse or obfuscate, it can also describe something intentionally complex for artistic or protective reasons. Context is crucial in determining the connotation.

What's the difference between "deliberately dense" and "unintentionally complex"?

"Deliberately dense" indicates a conscious choice to make something complicated, while "unintentionally complex" suggests that the complexity arose without a specific intention. One implies design; the other, happenstance.