downright delusional

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "downright delusional" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is completely out of touch with reality or has irrational beliefs. Example: "His claims about being able to predict the future are downright delusional."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

A Manhattan ob-gyn obsessed with reality TV, Lahiri was reflexively selfish, sometimes downright delusional, her internal monologue eternally threatening to spill over into full-on clinical narcissism.

The New Yorker

She convinces us that we women are simply too fussy, entitled and downright delusional about our own worth in the mating marketplace.

The New York Times - Books

The idea that a century-old electronic device, which few people under 40 seem to own, holds the key to his media empire's next phase might strike some as far-fetched, if not downright delusional.

The New York Times

Others just said she was downright delusional.

Vice

Some of us aren't that bright, some of us are crazy, and some of us are downright delusional.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

I never dated anyone in high school, so my perception of a relationship was so distorted and delusional... downright MAGIKAL... and i didn't really have any reference points for what it would be like.

Huffington Post

When the base of your party so despises the President that they are delusional, impeachment not only seems feasible, it seems downright reasonable.

Huffington Post

How delusional.

The New York Times

Downright Stengelian.

The New York Times - Sports

Downright unAmerican?

The Economist

Rex: "He's delusional.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "downright delusional" to emphasize a strong sense of disbelief or that someone's ideas are completely detached from reality. It's stronger than simply saying someone is mistaken or optimistic.

Common error

While "downright delusional" is acceptable in news and media, consider more formal alternatives like "patently irrational" or "manifestly misguided" in academic or business writing to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "downright delusional" functions as an intensifier (downright) modifying the adjective delusional. It serves to strongly emphasize the extent to which someone's beliefs or actions are out of touch with reality. As Ludwig suggests, it's a strong descriptor.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "downright delusional" is a correct and usable expression in English, typically functioning as an intensifier modifying the adjective "delusional". It's used to express strong disagreement or disbelief concerning ideas or actions that seem completely detached from reality. As Ludwig AI confirms, and given the examples from reliable sources like The New York Times and The New Yorker, the phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts. While grammatically sound, it may be too informal for formal academic or business writing, where alternatives like "manifestly misguided" or "patently irrational" might be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly detached from reality

This alternative emphasizes the separation from what is real, heightening the sense of disconnection.

completely out of touch

This phrase suggests a lack of awareness and understanding of the current situation.

patently absurd

This phrase highlights the obvious and undeniable ridiculousness of something.

blatantly irrational

This alternative focuses on the lack of logical reasoning behind a thought or action.

manifestly misguided

This option underlines that something is clearly wrong and based on faulty judgment.

wildly unrealistic

This phrase emphasizes the impracticality and lack of grounding in reality.

borderline insane

This suggests a state that is close to mental instability or madness.

simply preposterous

This alternative conveys a sense of utter foolishness and absurdity.

absolutely nonsensical

This highlights a complete lack of meaning or coherence.

quite far-fetched

This suggests that something is difficult to believe or accept due to its implausibility.

FAQs

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

You can use "downright delusional" to describe beliefs or actions that are completely irrational or detached from reality. For example: "His claims about being able to fly are "downright delusional"".

What's the difference between "downright delusional" and "simply mistaken"?

"Downright delusional" implies a significant disconnect from reality or a severe misjudgment, while "simply mistaken" suggests a minor error or misunderstanding. The former is much stronger in tone.

What can I say instead of "downright delusional"?

You can use alternatives like "utterly detached from reality", "blatantly irrational", or "manifestly misguided" depending on the context.

Is "downright delusional" appropriate for formal writing?

While "downright delusional" is acceptable in many contexts, it may be too informal for certain types of academic or business writing. Consider using more formal alternatives in those situations.