extravagant desire

USAGE SUMMARY

"extravagant desire" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate the feeling of wanting something very much and too much of it. For example, "Her extravagant desire for a new house grew with ambition until it was too much to bear."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Ripley's hasn't had a presence in New York since it abandoned Times Square in 1972, when the neighborhood started to become a bit too much like the shadowy world of extravagant desire and freakishness portrayed within.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

These aren't extravagant desires.

Huffington Post

It's a perfectly contained piece of storytelling – the extravagant meal, Richard's desire for aesthetic beauty, Bunny's sense of entitlement, Henry's attitude towards Bunny.

The Guardian - Books

It was so extravagant, so ridiculous, so desired.

The New York Times

A birding trip can be as extravagant or cost-effective as you desire.

WikiHow

Driven by the extravagant pricing of cult cabernets and a desire to keep up with Bordeaux, even mediocre Napa Valley cabernet sauvignons can cost more than $100.

The New York Times - Food

He orders limousines, extravagant room service, and in one instance (for seemingly no other reason than his desire to inflict suffering) tricks a pizza delivery boy into thinking he is going to die, all for laughs.

Vice

Suggested by MadelaineFungDuLac This elaborate painting, depicting extravagant-looking biblical figures Herod and Salome, tells a tale of seduction and desire.

The Guardian - Arts

He's involved in an extravagant midlife crisis, largely caused by his dwindling sales, and largely manifested in a frantic desire to sleep with his mother-in-law.

The Guardian - Books

Her desire to be taken seriously as a politician was damaged when she staged extravagant wedding celebrations for her foster son in 1997 that were reported to have cost over $1m.

The Economist

His most thorough biographer, Zachary Leader, suggests that "the desire to irritate and annoy animated Amis all his life"; Ending Up represents the most extravagant, unbridled, and, it must be added, hilarious animation of this perverse desire.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "extravagant desire" to depict characters driven by ambition and material wants, creating a vivid image of their inner motivations. It suggests a craving that goes beyond mere need, often leading to dramatic consequences in storytelling.

Common error

Don't use "extravagant desire" when describing everyday wants. This phrase implies a potent, almost obsessive craving, not just a casual wish. Ensure the context matches the intensity of the expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extravagant desire" functions as a noun phrase, where "extravagant" modifies the noun "desire". According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct, and is used to indicate the feeling of wanting something very much and too much of it.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "extravagant desire" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe an excessive or unrestrained longing. Ludwig confirms its correctness. While relatively rare in occurrence, it appears most frequently in News & Media sources, suggesting a neutral register. The phrase effectively conveys a sense of intense wanting that surpasses normal levels, often implying a potential for negative consequences or moral implications. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure that the context matches the intensity it conveys, distinguishing it from simple wants or wishes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessive craving

This phrase emphasizes the intensity and potentially harmful nature of the desire.

inordinate longing

This phrase suggests a desire that is beyond what is normal or reasonable.

insatiable yearning

This phrase describes a desire that can never be fully satisfied.

overwhelming urge

This describes a strong impulse that is difficult to resist.

unrestrained appetite

This phrase uses the metaphor of appetite to describe an uncontrolled desire.

exorbitant wish

This implies the desire is exceedingly high or unreasonable.

immoderate ambition

This phrase focuses on desire within the context of striving for achievement.

unbridled passion

This alternative suggests the desire is expressed with intense emotion.

boundless aspiration

This alternative suggests limitless ambition or goals.

rampant lust

This phrase conveys an intense and uncontrolled sexual desire.

FAQs

How can I use "extravagant desire" in a sentence?

You can use "extravagant desire" to describe a character's overwhelming need for something, such as wealth or fame. For example, "His "extravagant desire" for power led him to betray his friends."

What's a less intense alternative to "extravagant desire"?

If you want to describe a simple wish, use phrases like "strong wish", or "keen interest". These are less forceful than "extravagant desire", which implies excess.

How does "extravagant desire" differ from "strong desire"?

"Extravagant desire" suggests a desire that is excessive, unreasonable, or beyond normal limits. "Strong desire" simply indicates a powerful wish, without necessarily implying excess. The former has a connotation of something potentially problematic.

Is "extravagant desire" always used negatively?

While often used in contexts where the desire leads to negative consequences, "extravagant desire" isn't inherently negative. Its connotation depends on the context and the object of the desire. However, given the meaning of extravagant, it is mostly used to describe excess.