downright ludicrous

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

And some of the criticisms of Merion have been downright ludicrous.

The Guardian - Sport

But the narrative is downright ludicrous – its nadir comes when Uxbal performs a good deed which, with the bitterest irony, causes the death of 25 people.

Independent

Seemingly eager to maintain an equal balance of vague political commentary and downright ludicrous statements, she discussed a number of subjects.

Independent

This character, who's glaringly contradictory whenever the film needs him to be, could have been downright ludicrous, except that everything in Drive – beginning with the 1980s-style pink lettering of the credits – reminds us that this is a movie, and one made of other movies.

Independent

In the age of $5 iPad games, spending $50 on a port is downright ludicrous.

TechCrunch

Paying over $100 per month for 20Mbps DSL seems downright ludicrous, though.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The idea is ludicrous, and downright patronising.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Three sexy Witches who, far from being wild and withered in their attire, look as if they shop at Fortnum and Mason's... "Not so much downright bad as heroically ludicrous... " "Like a blacksmith hammering on an anvil......

The Guardian - Books

The German text of the taped police examination, which was conducted by Captain Less between May 29 , 1960 and January 17 , 1961 and each page of which was corrected and approved by Eichmann, demonstrates that the horrible can sometimes be not only ludicrous but downright funny.

The New Yorker

Indeed, speculation is usually the most tempting use for the money.But while it may seem obvious that speculative excesses are building, it is downright impossible to predict when they will peak; throughout 1999, companies with ever-more-ludicrous business plans and non-existent earnings were floating on the stockmarket but the Nasdaq did not peak until March 2000.

The Economist

Most criticisms were downright silly, some were threatening (demanding that I be expelled from the Democratic Party), while others were just crude insults ("ludicrous","anti-Semitic bigot").

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "downright ludicrous" to express strong disagreement or disbelief. It is more emphatic than simply saying something is "ludicrous".

Common error

While "downright ludicrous" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated synonyms like "patently absurd" or "manifestly derisory" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "downright ludicrous" functions as an adjective phrase used to describe something as completely absurd or ridiculous. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a usable phrase. The examples highlight its use in expressing strong disagreement or mockery.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

9%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "downright ludicrous" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that effectively conveys a strong sense of absurdity or ridiculousness. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is suitable for use in written English. It's most frequently found in News & Media, making it appropriate for general discourse, but it can be too informal for some academic settings. Related alternatives include "utterly absurd" and "completely ridiculous", offering similar but nuanced expressions. When using this phrase, be mindful of the context and audience to ensure the tone is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly absurd

Replaces "ludicrous" with "absurd", emphasizing the lack of reason or sense.

completely ridiculous

Substitutes both words with synonyms, highlighting the laughable nature of something.

patently absurd

Replaces "downright" with "patently", indicating that the absurdity is obvious and undeniable.

plainly preposterous

Uses "preposterous" instead of "ludicrous", suggesting a higher degree of outlandishness.

simply nonsensical

Emphasizes the lack of sense or meaning, making it clearly irrational.

blatantly foolish

Focuses on the lack of intelligence or wisdom behind the idea or action.

downright silly

A more informal and less intense version, implying something is foolish or childish.

absolutely laughable

Highlights the humorous aspect of the situation, emphasizing its ridiculousness.

wholly unreasonable

Focuses on the lack of logic or reason, making it unjustifiable.

manifestly derisory

A more formal and emphatic way of saying something is contemptible and ridiculous.

FAQs

What does "downright ludicrous" mean?

The phrase "downright ludicrous" means utterly ridiculous or absurd. It's used to strongly express that something is unreasonable or nonsensical.

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

You can use "downright ludicrous" to describe ideas, proposals, or situations you find absurd. For example: "The suggestion that we work through the night is "downright ludicrous"."

What can I say instead of "downright ludicrous"?

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

Is "downright ludicrous" too informal for academic writing?

While generally acceptable, "downright ludicrous" might be considered too informal for some academic contexts. Consider using more formal synonyms such as "manifestly derisory" or "wholly unreasonable" to maintain a professional tone.