it defies imagination

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it defies imagination" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something is so extraordinary or unbelievable that it cannot be easily conceived or understood. Example: "The beauty of the landscape was so breathtaking that it defies imagination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

In "Kids for Cash," the investigative reporter William Ecenbarger tells the story behind a corruption scandal so brazen and cruel it defies imagination.

The New York Times - Books

I will say it plainly: Notwithstanding all the international rules about government procurement, it defies imagination and good sense that Abe's government could not have and did not award the stadium mandate to a Japanese architectural group.

Forbes

It defies imagination, or at least human imagination.

Huffington Post

Welch said it "defies imagination" that job growth surged during the third quarter and just one month before the election.

HuffPost

He was a master of the court, of course, and it defies imagination to think of any future coach winning 10 NCAA titles or going 88 games without a loss, even as players graduate and teams have to be remade.

Los Angeles Times

Thus, it defies imagination that in this highly VL-endemic area, the annual indoor residual insecticide spraying coverage can be as low as 12%.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Wendy Wright, of the conservative group Concerned Women for America, told the Washington Independent that "If there's even a hint that [Department of Homeland Security] is manipulating the health situation to push a political appointee through, well, it almost defies imagination that they'd be willing to that".

Huffington Post

But it is the scale of what society requires that defies imagination.

Forbes

Brown said: "This defies imagination.

The New York Times - Sports

Their ordeal and the strain on their families defies imagination.

Independent

"Their courage almost defies imagination," the president said.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it defies imagination", ensure the context clearly establishes what "it" refers to. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens the impact of the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "it defies imagination" for ordinary or slightly surprising events. Reserve it for situations that genuinely inspire awe or disbelief to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

"It defies imagination" functions as an expressive phrase, used to emphasize the speaker's or writer's astonishment or disbelief regarding a particular situation or event. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase effectively conveys a sense of something being beyond comprehension or belief. Examples show its usage in describing shocking events and unbelievable achievements.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it defies imagination" is a grammatically correct and impactful expression used to convey astonishment or disbelief. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase effectively highlights situations that are extraordinary or unprecedented. While not overly formal, it maintains a neutral register suitable for news, media, and professional contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines what "it" refers to and avoid using it in mundane scenarios to preserve its powerful effect. Alternatives like "it beggars belief" or "it is beyond comprehension" can offer similar emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it beggars belief

Emphasizes the incredulity aspect of the situation.

it is beyond belief

Similar to "beggars belief", focusing on the lack of believability.

it is past belief

Offers a more emphatic version of "beyond belief".

it is beyond comprehension

Focuses on the lack of understanding that results from the situation.

it strains credulity

Highlights the challenge to one's willingness to believe something.

it is inconceivable

Stresses the impossibility of conceiving or imagining something.

it is unimaginable

Directly states the inability to imagine the situation.

it escapes understanding

Emphasizes the elusiveness of comprehension.

it is beyond the pale

Indicates the situation is outside the bounds of what is acceptable or reasonable.

words cannot describe it

Highlights the inadequacy of language to capture the experience.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it defies imagination" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "it is inconceivable", "it is beyond comprehension", or "it strains credulity".

What does "it defies imagination" mean?

The phrase "it defies imagination" means that something is so extraordinary, unbelievable, or shocking that it is difficult or impossible to fully conceive or understand.

Is "it defies imagination" an appropriate phrase to use in professional writing?

Yes, "it defies imagination" can be used in professional writing, especially when describing situations that are truly exceptional or unprecedented. However, ensure that the tone aligns with the overall context and purpose of the writing.

Are there any figures of speech similar to "it defies imagination"?

Yes, similar figures of speech include hyperbole (exaggeration) and understatement (litotes). For example, instead of saying "it defies imagination", you might use a hyperbolic statement to emphasize the scale of the situation or an understatement to create an ironic effect.