flagrant stupidity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "flagrant stupidity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or behavior that is extremely foolish or reckless, often in a way that is obvious to others. Example: "His decision to invest all his savings in a failing business was a clear case of flagrant stupidity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"I'm always surprised by flagrant stupidity.

The Guardian - Film

"I'm surprised by the flagrant stupidity," Penn told Associated Press of the outrage at the joke.

Independent

Over the weekend, the actor told The Associated Press he was surprised by the "flagrant stupidity" of everyone that reacted negatively and had "absolutely no apologies".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Winkfield had flagrant flaws of his own.

Independent

Major deals came and went with record companies dropping great bands in flagrant acts of negligence and stupidity, and it's hard not to feel that some of them should have been world-beaters.

The Guardian - Music

"Complete stupidity.

The New York Times

Inexcusable stupidity.

The New York Times

Against stupidity ….

The New York Times

"Pure stupidity.

The New Yorker

No stupidity.

The Guardian - Books

Extreme stupidity?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flagrant stupidity" to describe actions or decisions that are not only foolish but also conspicuously so, making the foolishness easily apparent to observers.

Common error

Avoid using "flagrant stupidity" for simple mistakes or oversights. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the foolishness is extreme and openly evident.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flagrant stupidity" functions as a descriptive term, combining an adjective ("flagrant") with a noun ("stupidity") to vividly characterize a particular instance or quality. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is usable in written English and serves to amplify the degree of foolishness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flagrant stupidity" is a descriptive phrase used to express strong disapproval of actions or ideas that are not only foolish but also conspicuously so. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, although it is relatively rare. The phrase is primarily found in news and media contexts and is suitable for expressing criticism in a clear and impactful manner. While it isn't inherently formal, it avoids overly technical or casual language, making it adaptable to a range of communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

blatant idiocy

Replaces "stupidity" with "idiocy", emphasizing a lack of intelligence.

obvious foolishness

Substitutes "flagrant" with "obvious" and "stupidity" with "foolishness", indicating clear lack of good sense.

glaring absurdity

Replaces both words, focusing on the ridiculous nature of the stupidity.

rank foolishness

Uses "rank" to intensify "foolishness", indicating a high degree of stupidity.

sheer imbecility

Replaces "stupidity" with "imbecility", highlighting a marked lack of intelligence.

utter senselessness

Focuses on the lack of sense or reason in the action or idea.

egregious ignorance

Shifts the focus to a pronounced lack of knowledge or awareness.

complete asininity

Emphasizes the silliness and lack of intelligence.

palpable denseness

Highlights a lack of understanding that is easily perceived.

outright mindlessness

Focuses on the lack of thought or consideration.

FAQs

How can I use "flagrant stupidity" in a sentence?

You can use "flagrant stupidity" to describe a situation or action that is extremely and obviously foolish. For example: "Investing all his money in that scheme was an act of "flagrant stupidity"".

What are some synonyms for "flagrant stupidity"?

Alternatives include "blatant idiocy", "obvious foolishness", or "glaring absurdity", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "flagrant stupidity" a formal or informal expression?

"Flagrant stupidity" falls somewhere in the middle. It is suitable for news articles and general discussions but may not be appropriate for highly formal or academic writing.

What's the difference between "flagrant stupidity" and "simple mistake"?

"Flagrant stupidity" implies an extreme level of foolishness that is openly visible, while "simple mistake" suggests a minor error or oversight. "Flagrant stupidity" carries a stronger negative connotation.