downright moronic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "downright moronic" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is extremely foolish or lacking in intelligence. Example: "His decision to invest all his savings in that failing company was downright moronic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

To have one player sin-binned for two minutes – an eternity when you are on the back foot – might seem unfortunate but to have two dismissed within seconds of each other in an Olympic semi-final is not so much careless as downright moronic.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

This is moronic.

The Guardian - Opinion

I thought it was moronic".

The New Yorker

Downright Stengelian.

The New York Times - Sports

Downright unAmerican?

The Economist

How "vacuous", "pointless", "disgusting", "moronic".

The Guardian - Books

'It's moronic,' he says.

The Guardian - Arts

Moronic thinking + bad grammar: good combo.

The New York Times

Schwed was downright dismissive.

The New York Times

He's downright... unexceptional.

The New York Times

I don't think I said moronic.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "downright moronic" to express strong disapproval and highlight the extreme foolishness of an action or idea. It is suitable when you want to convey a sense of outrage or disbelief.

Common error

While "downright moronic" is effective for emphasizing foolishness, avoid using it in formal writing or professional settings. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "highly unwise" or "extremely imprudent" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "downright moronic" functions as an intensifying descriptor. "Downright" amplifies the adjective "moronic", indicating a high degree of foolishness or lack of intelligence. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and conveys a strong negative evaluation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "downright moronic" is a grammatically sound expression used to convey strong disapproval of something perceived as extremely foolish. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for expressing a negative evaluation, though its use is relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. While effective for emphasizing a point, it's best reserved for informal or neutral settings, avoiding formal or professional communication where alternatives like "highly questionable" or "extremely unwise" are more appropriate. Due to the strong, critical tone, sensitivity to context is crucial when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly idiotic

Replaces "downright" with "utterly" and "moronic" with "idiotic", both intensifying adjectives.

completely asinine

Substitutes "downright" with "completely" and "moronic" with "asinine", conveying similar levels of foolishness.

patently absurd

Replaces "downright moronic" with a phrase that emphasizes the obvious and ridiculous nature of something.

blatantly stupid

Uses "blatantly" instead of "downright" to emphasize the obviousness of the stupidity.

thoroughly foolish

Emphasizes the extent of the foolishness using "thoroughly" in place of "downright".

remarkably unintelligent

Replaces "moronic" with a more formal synonym, "unintelligent", while maintaining the intensity.

indefensibly unwise

Shifts the focus to the lack of justification for an action, implying extreme poor judgment.

simply brainless

Uses a more straightforward and informal expression to convey the lack of intelligence.

pure foolishness

Condenses the phrase to highlight the unadulterated nature of the foolishness.

unbelievably dumb

Expresses incredulity at the level of stupidity displayed.

FAQs

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

You can use "downright moronic" to describe a decision, action, or idea that is extremely foolish or stupid. For example, "Investing all your savings in that venture was a "downright moronic" decision."

What's a less offensive way to say "downright moronic"?

If you want to express a similar idea without being as harsh, consider alternatives like "highly questionable", "extremely unwise", or "remarkably imprudent". These options are more suitable for professional or formal contexts.

Is "downright moronic" appropriate for formal writing?

No, "downright moronic" is generally not appropriate for formal writing. It's better suited for informal conversations or writing where a strong, critical tone is acceptable. Use more neutral and professional alternatives in formal settings.

What is the difference between "downright moronic" and "utterly foolish"?

"Downright moronic" and "utterly foolish" are similar in meaning, both conveying a high degree of foolishness. However, "downright moronic" has a stronger, more critical tone, while "utterly foolish" might be perceived as slightly less harsh.