far too mean

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "far too mean" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is excessively unkind or harsh. Example: "Her comments were far too mean for a friendly conversation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I'm far too mean.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Somehow, protecting the world from black men has, far too often, meant killing, beating and raping black women and girls.

The Guardian - Opinion

Too mean?

The New Yorker

Predictions of who might be performing on those nights are far too risky to mean much at this distance, but it might be worth a long-term, each-way bet on Dave Gorman (who was nominated last year), Omid Djalili (who should have been) and Noble & Silver (who won the Perrier Best Newcomer award).

The Guardian

He goes on to argue that the party who controls the Senate is important because of judicial appointments, which may be true but is far too dull to mean anything to the average voter.

Vice

American consumers, in particular, had been spending far too much, which means restoring markets to equilibrium will be painful and prolonged.

The Economist

However, this deal could end up being a pyrrhic victory: the debt relief for Greece is far too small which means that another default could be around the corner, while the austerity targets are wholly unrealistic and kill off growth prospects".

The Guardian - Business

Today, we have a clearer understanding of what justice means for certain groups of people, which is to say that justice can mean far too little.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sheffield's finest might have been deemed "fat" by a "high ranking" UK Athletics official – as disclosed by her coach, Toni Minichiello – but she was far too lean and mean for the other heavyweights of the heptathlon on the opening day of the Hypo-Meeting here in western Austria.

Independent

So Israel, long frustrated by its image as a country tarnished by danger and strife, wants to rebrand itself as hip, cool, cultured, fun and creative.The initiative comes from Israeli diplomats and Jewish groups in America, whose research shows that even though Israel enjoys strong political support from Americans, its image is far too lean and mean.

The Economist

It has already fallen to 8.8 percent, and the new consensus, of 8.4 to 8.7 percent, could be far too pessimistic if companies mean what they say about hiring.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "far too mean", consider the audience and context to ensure the level of intensity is appropriate. It is a strong expression and may not always be suitable for formal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "far too mean" casually or flippantly, as it can diminish the impact of the phrase when a genuinely serious situation arises. Reserve it for scenarios where the meanness is truly excessive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far too mean" functions as an intensifying adverb phrase modifying an adjective. It amplifies the degree to which something or someone is considered mean, indicating a level of unkindness that exceeds what is acceptable or expected. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "far too mean" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that amplifies the adjective "mean", indicating an excessive level of unkindness or harshness. Ludwig AI confirms this. It's commonly used in neutral contexts such as News & Media to express disapproval or criticism. While versatile, users should consider the audience and context to ensure appropriate intensity. Alternative expressions like "excessively cruel" or "way too harsh" can be used for nuances in meaning. Proper usage involves reserving it for situations where the level of meanness is truly significant to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

way too harsh

Emphasizes the severity of the meanness, suggesting an excessive level of criticism or punishment.

unacceptably harsh

Highlights that meanness is not to be tolerated.

unduly harsh

Similar to unnecessarily unkind, but focuses specifically on undue harshness.

excessively cruel

Focuses more on the intensity of cruelty rather than just being unkind.

needlessly cruel

Emphasizes that the cruelty has no purpose.

unnecessarily unkind

Highlights that the meanness was not warranted or justified.

overly critical

Focuses on the aspect of excessive criticism rather than general meanness.

inordinately severe

Implies a disproportionate level of severity in judgment or action.

completely heartless

Suggests a lack of empathy or compassion.

totally insensitive

Emphasizes a lack of awareness or consideration for others' feelings.

FAQs

How can I use "far too mean" in a sentence?

You can use "far too mean" to describe actions, comments, or behaviors that are excessively unkind or harsh. For example, "His criticism was "far too mean" to be constructive."

What's a less intense alternative to "far too mean"?

If you find "far too mean" to be too strong, consider using alternatives such as "too harsh", "overly critical", or "unnecessarily unkind" depending on the specific context.

In what contexts is "far too mean" most appropriate?

"Far too mean" is best used when describing situations where the level of unkindness or harshness is significantly excessive and causes notable distress or harm. It's suitable for both serious and slightly less severe situations, depending on the speaker's intent.

How does "far too mean" compare to "excessively cruel"?

While both phrases indicate a high degree of negativity, "excessively cruel" focuses more on the malicious intent and severity of the action, whereas "far too mean" can encompass a broader range of unkind behaviors that are simply excessive in their harshness.