highly addicted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "highly addicted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who has a strong dependence on a substance or activity, indicating a severe level of addiction. Example: "After years of excessive gaming, he realized he was highly addicted and needed to seek help."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

SECOND SUNDAY PUZZLE — I was highly suspicious of cryptic crosswords, until, of course, I became highly addicted to them.

The New York Times

These women were older, white, had smoked for many years, were moderately to highly addicted to tobacco, had few financial resources, and a large proportion were depressed.

Heart & Lung: The Journal of Acute and Critical Care

They do not lack motivation to quit, but are likely to be highly addicted and heavily dependent on tobacco, and therefore need more help.

The Guardian

Of the new generation of smartphone users, 60% of teenagers classed themselves as "highly addicted" to their device, compared to 37% of adults.

The Guardian - Tech

Ofcom, Britain's telecommunications regulator, says that a startling 60% of teenagers who use smartphones describe themselves as "highly addicted" to their devices.

The Economist

Britons' appetite for Facebook and social networks on the go is driving a huge demand for smartphones – with 60% of teenagers describing themselves as "highly addicted" to their device – according to new research by the media regulator, Ofcom.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Very simplistic, but highly addicting and will bring you back daily.

TechCrunch

EdgeRank creates that the highly addicting experience that drives Facebook's enormous time on site, return visit rate, and engagement.

TechCrunch

A more old-school example of this is Pokemon cards, which effectively were a physical loot box, and a highly addicting one at that.

Forbes

Highly addicting!

WikiHow

Heroin is a highly addictive drug, and an addict must usually inject heroin about twice a day in order to avoid the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms; these include restlessness, body aches, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing addiction, be specific about the object of the addiction (e.g., "highly addicted to nicotine", "highly addicted to gaming") to provide clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "highly addicted" when a milder term like "interested" or "enthusiastic" would be more appropriate. Overusing strong language can diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly addicted" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a significant level of dependence or compulsion. It describes the extent to which someone is gripped by an addiction, supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "highly addicted" is a commonly used adjectival phrase to describe a strong dependence on something, as Ludwig AI confirms. It appears frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts, with a generally neutral register. When using this phrase, be specific about the object of addiction and avoid overstating the situation. Consider alternatives like "severely addicted" or "heavily dependent" for nuanced meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

severely addicted

Emphasizes the intensity of the addiction, similar to "highly addicted".

strongly addicted

Highlights the power of the addiction, a direct synonym.

extremely addicted

Uses a different adverb to convey the high degree of addiction.

deeply addicted

Suggests the addiction is ingrained and profound.

heavily dependent

Focuses on the reliance on the substance or activity.

completely hooked

An informal way to express being entirely consumed by an addiction.

addicted beyond measure

An emphatic way to describe a very strong addiction.

hopelessly addicted

Implies a lack of control and difficulty in breaking the addiction.

irrevocably addicted

Suggests the addiction is permanent or very difficult to reverse.

incurably addicted

Implies that the addiction cannot be cured.

FAQs

How can I use "highly addicted" in a sentence?

You can use "highly addicted" to describe someone who has a strong dependence on a substance or activity. For example, "He was "highly addicted" to social media and spent hours online each day."

What's a less intense way to say "highly addicted"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "very interested", "keen on", or "enthusiastic about" to describe a strong interest without implying addiction.

Which is correct, "highly addicted to" or "highly addicted by"?

"Highly addicted to" is the correct and more common usage. You are addicted to something, not by it.

What are the differences between "highly addicted" and "heavily dependent"?

While both phrases suggest a strong reliance, "highly addicted" specifically implies a compulsive engagement with a substance or activity. "Heavily dependent" can be used in broader contexts, such as financial or emotional dependence, not necessarily implying addiction.