highly topical

USAGE SUMMARY

"highly topical" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe an issue or topic that is very relevant in the current moment, or that is related to a current issue or event. For example, "The campaign raised awareness about a highly topical issue in the local community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That is highly topical.

The Economist

It is also highly topical.

The New York Times - Arts

But some of the more memorable poems here are highly topical.

The New Yorker

His highly topical satire anticipates the comic visions of Jean de Meun, Boccaccio, and Chaucer.

Harvard University

Genocidal Gender and Sexual Violence tackles an important and highly topical issue.

Stanford University

The play was highly topical, taking in everything from the coalition's cuts to Essex reality TV star Stacey Solomon.

The Guardian

The puzzle is asking to choose between four algorithms - so as well as being seasonal, the puzzle is highly topical!

The Guardian

What the highly topical Mr. Federline brings to Nationwide is instant recognition, a first leg up before the opening kickoff.

The New York Times

It's highly topical and yet was drawn by the leading Victorian cartoonist Sir John Tenniel for Punch magazine in 1878.

The Guardian

This is a gripping and frequently moving story that's highly topical and not to be missed.

Independent

Helmholtz is also a highly topical book for those impressed by and convinced of the social significance of science.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "highly topical" when you want to emphasize the immediate relevance of a subject to current events or discussions. This phrase adds a sense of urgency and importance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "highly topical" excessively in formal academic writing, especially when discussing long-standing theories or concepts. While still appropriate, consider if a more nuanced phrase might better convey the enduring relevance of the topic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly topical" functions as an adjectival modifier, intensifying the relevance and currency of the noun it describes. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a valid and frequently used phrase. Examples show it often modifies issues, events, or discussions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

24%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "highly topical" is a valid and frequently used adjectival phrase to emphasize the immediate relevance and importance of a subject. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions to highlight significance in ongoing discussions. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science and Academia, this neutral-to-formal phrase enhances writing by adding a sense of urgency. For greater impact, explore synonyms like "very relevant" or "currently significant".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly pertinent

Stresses the direct relevance to the matter at hand. A slight semantic change to 'relevance'.

currently significant

Highlights the present-day importance and impact.

currently relevant

Highlights the present-day significance but is slightly more verbose.

very relevant

Emphasizes the direct connection and importance to the current situation, minimizing the aspect of temporal relevance.

up-to-the-minute

Conveys a sense of immediacy and currency, suitable for rapidly evolving topics.

of immediate importance

Stresses the urgency and high priority of the topic.

of current interest

Shifts the focus to public attention and engagement rather than just relevance.

of present concern

Focuses more on the issues causing worry or attention right now.

timely

Implies that something is well-timed or opportune, suggesting a broader context than just relevance.

resonating today

Emphasizes the widespread agreement and deep effect of the topic today.

FAQs

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

You can use "highly topical" to describe issues or subjects that are very relevant and important in the current moment. For example: "The debate over climate change is a "highly topical" issue."

What are some alternatives to "highly topical"?

Alternatives to "highly topical" include "very relevant", "currently significant", and "of current interest", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "highly topical" in formal writing?

Yes, "highly topical" is appropriate for formal writing, including news articles and academic papers, when you need to emphasize the immediate relevance of a subject. Consider alternatives if you want a more nuanced description of enduring relevance.

What makes a topic "highly topical"?

A topic becomes "highly topical" when it is directly related to current events, frequently discussed in the media, and of significant concern to a large number of people. In other words, it is presently relevant and important.