downright absurd

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "downright absurd" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is completely ridiculous or unreasonable. Example: "The idea that we could finish the project in one day is downright absurd."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Einstein's Underpants is zany, irreverent and downright absurd - children will love it.

Independent

No doubt Strauss would have found such speculation amusing if not downright absurd.

The New York Times - Arts

Still, it was bold of Einstein to embrace the light principle, for its consequences seemed downright absurd.

The New Yorker

All of which struck several residents of the Bronx, birthplace and home to famously dazzling street art, as downright absurd.

The New York Times

She shows how priggish, censorious and downright absurd "the language police" can be, and she does so with furious logic.

The New York Times - Books

It meanders between being compelling, provocative, theatrical, tragic and downright absurd, as Gainsbourg narrates her sorry sexual history, punctuated by Skarsgård's intellectual interjections.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

The idea that these cuts would contribute any sizable reduction to the to the deficit is categorically absurd and downright laughable.

Huffington Post

In the case of Abedin, the game goes from absurd, to downright bizarre.

Huffington Post

A whole slew of creative folks have made Trumpkins even more absurd and downright impressive than ever.

Huffington Post

The government needs to urgently rethink these dangerous powers – handing hefty fines to homeless people, for example, is obviously absurd, counterproductive and downright cruel".

Vice

Arguably this makes them the perfect duo to review the most absurd, terrible, and downright close-your-eyes-and-pray-death-comes-swiftly moments of 2016, a year which saw deaths of some of our favourite artists, Brexit, and a xenophobic misogynist elected to the highest position in the free world.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "downright absurd" to express strong disbelief or disapproval, reserving it for situations that genuinely defy logic or reason. Avoid overuse to maintain its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "downright absurd" for trivial matters. Overusing it diminishes its impact and makes your language sound hyperbolic. Reserve it for truly illogical or outrageous situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "downright absurd" functions as an intensifier (downright) modifying an adjective (absurd). Ludwig AI confirms it's a correct expression. It serves to emphasize the extreme degree to which something is considered ridiculous or unreasonable, making it a strong statement of disbelief.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "downright absurd" is a commonly used phrase to express strong disbelief or disagreement, emphasizing that something is utterly ridiculous or illogical. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and is commonly found in news and media. When using it, make sure to apply it to situations that are genuinely illogical to maintain its impact. Alternatives include phrases like "utterly preposterous" or "completely nonsensical" for variety. Ensure the context warrants such a strong expression to avoid hyperbole.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly preposterous

Replaces "downright" with "utterly" and "absurd" with "preposterous", emphasizing the extreme foolishness.

patently ridiculous

Substitutes "downright" with "patently", indicating something is obviously and clearly ridiculous.

completely nonsensical

Replaces "downright absurd" with a direct assertion of lacking sense or reason.

blatantly ludicrous

Emphasizes the obvious and laughable nature of something.

plainly irrational

Focuses on the lack of rational basis for something, making it clearly illogical.

thoroughly unreasonable

Indicates a complete lack of reason or justification.

categorically insane

Suggests something is not just absurd, but bordering on madness.

absolutely farcical

Highlights the ridiculous and comical nature of a situation, similar to a farce.

laughably foolish

Emphasizes that something is so foolish it provokes laughter.

simply insane

A more concise expression emphasizing that something is outright crazy.

FAQs

How can I use "downright absurd" in a sentence?

Use "downright absurd" to describe something completely illogical or unreasonable. For example, "The suggestion that we could complete the project overnight is "downright absurd"".

What can I say instead of "downright absurd"?

You can use alternatives like "utterly preposterous", "patently ridiculous", or "completely nonsensical" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "downright absurd" or "down right absurd"?

"Downright absurd" is the correct spelling. "Down right absurd" separates the adverb and adjective, which is grammatically incorrect in this context.

What's the difference between "absurd" and "downright absurd"?

"Absurd" means unreasonable or illogical. Adding "downright" emphasizes the extent of the absurdity, making it stronger and more emphatic. It's used to convey a stronger sense of disbelief or outrage than simply saying something is "absurd".