highly ironic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "highly ironic" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or statement that is significantly ironic, often highlighting a contrast between expectations and reality. Example: "It was highly ironic that the fire station burned down while the firefighters were responding to another emergency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Guests are hardly dispassionate on what most of them conceive of as a highly ironic arrangement.

The New York Times

The threatened closure at Keele is highly ironic at many levels.

The Guardian - Opinion

This was highly ironic as Innes is famed for his parodies of The Beatles in The Rutles, and has had to share songwriting royalties with them.

Independent

"It is highly ironic that he is willing to speak publicly to Fern Britton but not to the inquiry set up to investigate the Iraq War".

Independent

For commerce as a whole, Mr Carr is insistent, IT matters very much indeed.But this often has highly ironic implications for individual companies, thinks Mr Carr.

The Economist

"It is highly ironic," said Charles Lewis, executive director of the Center for Public Integrity in Washington, a nonpartisan watchdog group.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Together the works should reintroduce America to Mr. Bennett's singular voice and highly tuned ironic wit — his special brand of gentleness laced with arsenic.

The New York Times

The most highly visible ironic gesture of the week was Ragnar Kjartansson's neon sign that read "SCANDINAVIAN PAIN" over the Armory Show's free Champagne bar during the V.I.P. opening on Wednesday.

The New York Times

But if American culture can claim any particular virtue right now, surely it's a highly evolved, ironic awareness of many of the cliches Sontag is describing as if for the first time.

The New York Times - Books

Perhaps it was Rorty's own highly developed ironic sense that led him to vociferously oppose the war, arguing against it in a 2003 cover story for the Nation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Forster's sensibility was very different from Wright's, of course, but he could work his material in the way he did in part because his "racists" were people who imagined themselves to be enlightened, and this allowed him to tell his story in a highly developed ironic voice.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "highly ironic" to emphasize a significant contrast between what is expected and what actually occurs, creating a strong sense of incongruity.

Common error

Avoid using "highly ironic" in very casual or informal settings where a simpler term like "ironic" would suffice. Overusing intensifiers can sometimes sound unnatural or forced.

Linguistic Context

Highly ironic functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It serves to intensify the degree of irony, highlighting a significant contrast between expectation and reality. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its function aligns with standard grammatical rules.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "highly ironic" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to underscore the significance of ironic situations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's considered correct and shows up across diverse contexts, most notably in news and media. While alternatives like "deeply ironic" or "extremely ironic" exist, "highly ironic" strikes a balance between formality and expressiveness, suitable for various writing scenarios. When using this phrase, remember to highlight the contrast and ensure the context warrants the emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deeply ironic

Emphasizes the profound or intense nature of the irony.

extremely ironic

Highlights the exceptional degree or extent of the irony.

particularly ironic

Singles out the irony as especially noteworthy or significant.

especially ironic

Similar to "particularly ironic", stressing the notable quality of the irony.

remarkably ironic

Indicates that the irony is striking or surprising.

incredibly ironic

Highlights the unbelievable or astounding nature of the irony.

decidedly ironic

Suggests that the irony is clear and undeniable.

somewhat ironic

Indicates a lesser degree or weaker form of irony.

rather ironic

Similar to "somewhat ironic", conveying a mild sense of irony.

quite ironic

Suggests that the irony is noticeable but not overwhelming.

FAQs

What does "highly ironic" mean?

The phrase "highly ironic" describes a situation that is particularly or strikingly ironic, meaning there is a significant difference between what might be expected and what actually occurs. It emphasizes the unexpected and often paradoxical nature of the situation.

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

You can use "highly ironic" to describe situations, statements, or events that possess a strong degree of irony. For example, "It's "highly ironic" that a lifeguard drowned".

What are some alternatives to "highly ironic"?

Alternatives to "highly ironic" include "deeply ironic", "extremely ironic", "particularly ironic", or "especially ironic". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it redundant to say "highly ironic" since irony already implies a contrast?

While irony inherently involves contrast, "highly ironic" is not necessarily redundant. The "highly" serves to intensify the degree or impact of the irony, suggesting it's particularly striking or significant.