highly preposterous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "highly preposterous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the absurdity or ridiculousness of a situation or statement. Example: "The idea that we could solve the problem overnight is highly preposterous."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now it's somebody's job to unravel the whole (admittedly highly entertaining) preposterous mess.

The Guardian - Film

That's highly unlikely — preposterous, even — but Kadyrov has made himself an irreplaceable part of the political system.

The New Yorker

"For it to make the same claim for documents it selectively chose to 'leak' is preposterous and highly hypocritical". He notes that Aftergood has appealed the rejected FOIA.

Los Angeles Times

Mr. Bialas, 57, who takes a dim view of organic farming in any case, found even this highly qualified chain of events preposterous.

The New York Times

Some risible dialogue, preposterous plotting and a highly unsatisfying look at the psychology of sex addiction further undermine the proceedings.

Los Angeles Times

Southern California is preposterous: mountains covered with highly flammable brush and an earthquake-vulnerable desert made to bloom with water diverted/stolen from the Sierra.

HuffPost

In short, Gone with the Wind is a preposterous, almost unclassifiable mix of highly questionable elements.

BBC

Even the "avid anti-Bond and an anti-Fleming man", Anthony Boucher, writing for The New York Times appeared to enjoy Goldfinger, saying "the whole preposterous fantasy strikes me as highly entertaining".

Wikipedia

The idea that two different musicians playing in two different genres, both highly skilled, should somehow make the same money is as utopian as it is preposterous because it totally ignores the demand side of the equation.

Huffington Post

It focuses in particular on one usage, where laughter targets a prior turn as preposterous and thus laughable: laughter is seen to be but one possible response in such contexts, and, as such, highly disaffiliative.

Journal of Pragmatics

Sounds preposterous?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "highly preposterous" to add emphasis when you want to express that something is not just absurd, but exceptionally so. It is best suited for situations where the level of incredulity is particularly high.

Common error

While effective, using "highly preposterous" too frequently can diminish its impact. Vary your vocabulary with synonyms like "utterly absurd" or "completely ridiculous" to maintain a dynamic and engaging writing style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly preposterous" functions as an adjectival modifier, intensifying the degree to which something is considered absurd or ridiculous. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "highly preposterous" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize the extreme absurdity or ridiculousness of something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and suitable for written English. While it can be used in various contexts, it is most commonly found in news and media, academic writing, and general discourse. Consider using synonyms like "utterly absurd" or "completely ridiculous" to diversify your writing. Keep in mind that while grammatically correct, the phrase might not always be appropriate in very informal settings. Although Ludwig did not provide specific examples of "highly preposterous" it indicated consistent usage across contexts which indicates the phrase is well understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly absurd

Replaces "preposterous" with "absurd" and "highly" with "utterly", maintaining a strong emphasis on ridiculousness.

completely ridiculous

Substitutes "preposterous" with "ridiculous" and "highly" with "completely", offering a more common and straightforward expression of disbelief.

patently absurd

Uses "patently" instead of "highly", implying the absurdity is obvious and undeniable.

blatantly ludicrous

Replaces "preposterous" with "ludicrous" and "highly" with "blatantly", suggesting a foolish and unreasonable quality.

downright laughable

Shifts the focus to the comedic aspect of the absurdity, implying the idea is so ridiculous it's laughable.

thoroughly unbelievable

Focuses on the lack of credibility rather than the absurdity, suggesting the idea is impossible to believe.

incredibly far-fetched

Highlights the implausibility and unrealistic nature of the idea.

totally nonsensical

Emphasizes the lack of logic and coherence in the idea.

absolutely outrageous

Conveys a sense of shock and indignation at the absurdity of the idea.

simply unthinkable

Suggests the idea is so beyond the realm of possibility that it's unthinkable.

FAQs

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

You can use "highly preposterous" to describe ideas, claims, or situations that are not just absurd, but exceptionally so. For example: "The idea that we could finish the project in one day is "highly preposterous"."

What are some alternatives to "highly preposterous"?

Alternatives to "highly preposterous" include phrases like "utterly absurd", "completely ridiculous", or "patently absurd", which all convey a similar sense of extreme incredulity.

Is "highly preposterous" too formal for everyday conversation?

While "highly preposterous" is more formal than some alternatives, it can be used in everyday conversation, particularly when you want to emphasize the absurdity of something. However, in very informal settings, simpler alternatives like "totally ridiculous" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "preposterous" and "highly preposterous"?

The word "preposterous" itself means absurd or ridiculous. Adding "highly" intensifies the meaning, emphasizing that something is not just absurd, but exceptionally so. It's like saying something is not just good, but very good.