highly irrational

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "highly irrational" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is extremely unreasonable or lacking in logic. Example: "His decision to invest all his savings in a failing business was highly irrational."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

"To do such a major exercise as a sort of defensive move would be highly irrational," Mr. Kramer said.

The New York Times

"I realize I have made highly irrational choices and I take full responsibility for them," Favor Hamilton wrote.

The New York Times - Sports

Some of also us came to suspect that pure rationality too often serves to mask a highly irrational will to power.

The New York Times - Arts

"Unfortunately with this unfolding security environment, which is highly random and highly irrational, you don't know whether you're going to be able to bring anything on board".

The New York Times - Travel

It also considers the reality that much of the way people perceive, reason, and think about the world can be highly irrational, nonlinear, and biased.

Designing for Human Reliability Human Factors Engineering in the Oil, Gas, and Process Industries

It would seem that if the money excuse is gone, the smoker bans are starkly revealed for what they are: blatant, and highly irrational, discrimination.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

He described Anderson as "highly intelligent," "irrational," and "calculated" in the violence he carried out against his former partner, Rosie Batty and their son.

The Guardian

From the perspective of the miserable clod on the treadmill, the sessions seem highly erratic, almost irrational in their unpredictability.

The New York Times - Sports

"Food preferences are highly local, often irrational," writes Dana Goodyear in her piece on entomophagy, or insect-eating, in this week's issue.

The New Yorker

By Jon Michaud August 5, 2011 "Food preferences are highly local, often irrational," writes Dana Goodyear in her piece on entomophagy, or insect-eating, in this week's issue.

The New Yorker

In the ideal detective story we should feel that we have a sporting chance to solve the mystery ourselves; if the criminal is highly abnormal an irrational element is introduced which offends us.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "highly irrational" to describe decisions, behaviors, or systems that deviate significantly from logical or reasonable expectations. This can add emphasis to the degree of irrationality involved.

Common error

While "highly irrational" is generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "extremely illogical" or "patently absurd" in academic or highly professional settings to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly irrational" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It intensifies the adjective "irrational", indicating a strong degree of unreasonableness or illogicality. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is frequently employed to describe choices, behaviors, or beliefs that significantly deviate from rationality.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "highly irrational" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that intensifies the adjective "irrational", indicating a significant departure from reason or logic. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is appropriate across various contexts, although slightly more formal alternatives may be preferable in academic writing. It's frequently used in News & Media and Science sources to describe decisions, actions, or beliefs considered unreasonable. By understanding its nuances and appropriate contexts, writers can effectively employ "highly irrational" to convey a strong sense of illogicality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely illogical

Emphasizes the lack of logical consistency.

completely unreasonable

Focuses on the lack of reason and fairness.

utterly preposterous

Highlights the absurdity and lack of sense.

patently absurd

Stresses the obviousness of the absurdity.

blatantly nonsensical

Highlights the obvious lack of sense.

thoroughly misguided

Emphasizes the flawed judgment and direction.

manifestly unfounded

Highlights the lack of basis or support.

palpably fallacious

Stresses the obviousness of the error in reasoning.

decidedly unsound

Focuses on the weakness or instability of the reasoning.

remarkably senseless

Highlights the lack of purpose or meaning.

FAQs

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

You can use "highly irrational" to describe a decision, action, or belief that lacks reason or logic. For example: "Investing all your savings in a single, unproven startup would be a "highly irrational" decision."

What are some alternatives to "highly irrational"?

Alternatives include "extremely illogical", "utterly preposterous", or "completely unreasonable". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "highly irrational"? Isn't irrational already a strong word?

While "irrational" implies a lack of reason, "highly irrational" emphasizes the degree of irrationality. It suggests a significant departure from logic and reason, making it a stronger statement. Think of it like "very important" versus "important".

What's the difference between "irrational" and "highly irrational"?

"Irrational" simply means not based on reason. "Highly irrational" indicates a greater extent or degree of being irrational. It amplifies the lack of reason, making the subject more extreme. It's similar to the difference between "unreasonable" and "highly unreasonable".