incredibly stupid

USAGE SUMMARY

'incredibly stupid' is a correct and usable phrase in written English, as well as spoken English.
You could use it to describe a situation or person that is extremely foolish. For example, "John's decision to invest his entire life savings in a single stock was incredibly stupid."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Just incredibly stupid.

The Economist

That's just incredibly stupid.

The Guardian

"It's incredibly stupid," he said.

The New York Times

"It just seemed incredibly stupid," he wrote.

The New York Times

He shrugs as if I had uttered something incredibly stupid.

The New Yorker

Either that or it's so incredibly stupid it doesn't care.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In the third trimester, I am incredibly stupid.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is, in its heart, an incredibly stupid television programme.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Barack Obama thinks this is all incredibly stupid.

The New York Times

"Because he's either incredibly stupid, or incredibly brave".

The New York Times

At the same time that one says "Holy cow!," one is thinking, How incredibly stupid.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "incredibly stupid" to express strong disapproval or disbelief regarding someone's actions or ideas. Ensure the context warrants such a strong term, as it can be perceived as harsh or judgmental.

Common error

Avoid using "incredibly stupid" in formal writing or professional settings. Opt for more diplomatic alternatives like "remarkably unintelligent" or "exceptionally unwise" to maintain a respectful tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incredibly stupid" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun. It is used to express a strong negative judgment about the intelligence or wisdom of someone or something. As Ludwig AI highlights, it describes something extremely foolish.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "incredibly stupid" is a common and generally acceptable way to describe something extremely foolish, primarily in neutral to informal contexts. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase accurately portrays extreme foolishness. While the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used, it's essential to consider the context. It is found most often in News & Media. While generally used as a descriptive adjective phrase to express a strong negative judgment, it should be used carefully, avoiding overuse in more formal or professional settings where more diplomatic alternatives might be better suited. Alternatives such as "utterly foolish", "remarkably unintelligent", or "exceptionally unwise" can convey a similar meaning with a more refined tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unbelievably foolish

Similar to "incredibly stupid", but uses "unbelievably" for emphasis.

utterly foolish

Replaces "incredibly" with "utterly" emphasizing the complete lack of wisdom.

remarkably unintelligent

Substitutes "stupid" with "unintelligent", providing a slightly more formal tone.

colossally idiotic

Replaces "incredibly" with "colossally" for a stronger emphasis on the magnitude of the stupidity.

exceptionally unwise

Replaces "stupid" with "unwise", focusing on the lack of good judgment.

patently absurd

Shifts the focus to the absurdity of the action or idea, rather than directly calling it stupid.

extraordinarily dense

Uses "dense" as a synonym for stupid, implying a lack of understanding.

astoundingly mindless

Focuses on the lack of thought or consideration behind the action.

supremely silly

Downgrades the severity slightly, suggesting foolishness rather than outright stupidity.

monumentally short-sighted

Highlights the lack of foresight in a decision, implying a form of stupidity.

FAQs

How can I use "incredibly stupid" in a sentence?

You can use "incredibly stupid" to describe actions, decisions, or ideas that you consider extremely foolish. For example, "Investing all your savings in a risky venture like that was an incredibly stupid decision."

What are some less offensive alternatives to "incredibly stupid"?

Depending on the context, you could use milder alternatives such as "very foolish", "unwise", or "ill-advised". The specific alternative depends on the situation and your desired level of formality.

Is it appropriate to use "incredibly stupid" in professional communication?

Generally, no. "Incredibly stupid" is quite informal and can be seen as disrespectful. In professional settings, it's better to use more diplomatic language, such as "not well-considered" or "lacking foresight".

What's the difference between "incredibly stupid" and "plain stupid"?

"Incredibly stupid" emphasizes the degree of foolishness more strongly than "plain stupid". While both indicate a lack of intelligence or good judgment, "incredibly stupid" suggests a particularly egregious or shocking level of foolishness.