equality of misery

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "equality of misery" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in discussions about social issues, philosophy, or critiques of systems that promote equal suffering rather than equal opportunity or happiness. Example: "In a dystopian society, the government enforced an equality of misery, ensuring that no one could rise above their circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Equality of misery is still equality.

The Guardian

Surely it should be equality of misery for everyone, not the departments producing output which viewers want and expect from the BBC, ie factual and news.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But the noble human aspiration for autonomy, equality and prosperity struggled mightily against the forces of misery and oppression and eventually succeeded in establishing modern, liberal, democratic, capitalist, welfare societies".

The New York Times

Anecdotes of misery abound.

The Guardian

An incense of misery.

The Guardian

"Those days of misery, anguish".

The Guardian - Books

Such a picture of misery.

The New Yorker

After years of misery, she succumbed.

The New Yorker

The shadow transport secretary, Michael Dugher, said passengers had endured "misery on top of misery".

The Guardian - Business

Spend two turns in Abyss of Misery.

The New York Times - Magazine

There were other measures of misery.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "equality of misery" to critique situations where attempts at equality result in shared negative experiences rather than improved well-being. Ensure the context clearly indicates that the 'equality' is undesirable.

Common error

Avoid using "equality of misery" when intending to describe genuine equality of opportunity or outcome. This phrase specifically denotes a negative or ironic form of equality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "equality of misery" functions as a noun phrase that serves as a critical descriptor of a specific type of equality. As Ludwig AI illustrates, it appears in contexts where equality leads to negative outcomes rather than positive ones.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "equality of misery" is a noun phrase used to critique scenarios where equality results in shared suffering rather than shared prosperity. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and usable, typically appearing in news, media, and scientific contexts with a neutral to formal register. While not frequently used, its purpose is to critically describe situations where equality leads to undesirable outcomes. Understanding its implications is crucial to avoid misinterpreting its meaning and using it appropriately. Alternatives like "uniform suffering" or "shared hardship" can be considered depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

egalitarian misery

Replaces 'equality' with 'egalitarian' to emphasize the principle of equality.

uniform suffering

Focuses on the sameness of suffering experienced by all.

misery for all

Directly states that misery is experienced universally.

shared hardship

Highlights the communal aspect of difficult circumstances.

collective suffering

Highlights the shared experience of suffering within a group.

equal burden

Emphasizes the fairness of distributing difficulties.

universal distress

Emphasizes the widespread nature of the suffering.

leveled playing field of pain

Uses a metaphor to describe a situation where suffering is evenly distributed.

balanced unhappiness

Implies a deliberate distribution of unhappiness.

distributed anguish

Highlights that anguish is spread out among individuals.

FAQs

What does "equality of misery" mean?

The phrase "equality of misery" refers to a situation where equality is achieved through shared suffering or hardship, rather than through equal opportunity or prosperity. It's often used to critique systems that result in universally negative experiences.

How can I use "equality of misery" in a sentence?

You might say, "The new regulations created an "equality of misery", impacting all businesses negatively" or "The characters in the dystopian novel existed in a state of "equality of misery"."

What are some alternatives to "equality of misery"?

Alternatives include "uniform suffering", "shared hardship", or "egalitarian misery". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "equality of misery" a positive or negative concept?

"Equality of misery" is generally used in a negative or critical context. It highlights a situation where equality is achieved at the expense of well-being or prosperity, suggesting a flawed or undesirable outcome.