least desired

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "least desired" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is the least preferred or wanted among a group of options. Example: "Among the various vacation destinations, the cold weather location was the least desired by the group."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

The least desired iPad 2 is the 16-gigabyte 3G model, making up only 7 percent of iPad 2 sales.

The New York Times

The least desired job was miner, with just 5% citing it as their most desired job, followed by call-centre worker (7%) and traffic warden (10%).

The Guardian - Books

Another independence referendum is the least desired option and looking at recent polls it is easy to tell why: a new poll published by YouGov this week finds that the support for a yes campaign was dwindling.

The Guardian

Randol described the jobs at his processing plant as "one of America's least desired jobs" and said that union activity has made it difficult for him to hire workers.

The Guardian - Business

One of the least desired N.F.L. predicaments is a "quarterback controversy" — such a faceoff almost never ends well — and so, as quickly as the Jets traded a pair of modest draft choices to Denver, the team began billing the season as a Mark Sanchez production.

The New Yorker

The party as we have known it is not only soon to be over, but Connecticut — the least desired of seven charter members to inaugurate the conference in 1979 — faces what could be a messy and muddled cleanup as the university left behind.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

To galvanize this, there has to be some clear set of demands or at least desires.

The New York Times

Embracing cliché and cleverness equally, the film suggests that sometimes the things we least desire are exactly what we most need.

The New York Times

Just as important, any military standoff would only make the Pakistani Army more influential in Islamabad — precisely what India least desires.

The New York Times

In the event, the director, Sidney Lumet of Twelve Angry Men fame, expressed not the least desire to meet me, let alone discuss the film he proposed to make.

The Guardian - Books

He told his local paper, the Streatham Guardian: "My fundamental reason is that I have never had the least desire to have a title.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "least desired", ensure the context clearly identifies the set of options being considered. For example, "Among all the proposed solutions, option C was the "least desired" by the stakeholders".

Common error

Avoid using "least desired" without specifying a group or context for comparison. Without this, it becomes unclear what is being compared and why it is considered the least favorable option.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "least desired" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate that something possesses the lowest level of desirability when compared to other options. As Ludwig examples show, it's used across various contexts to express preference or aversion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

32%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "least desired" is a commonly used and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to indicate the lowest level of preference among a set of options. It's versatile, fitting into various contexts from News & Media to Science, and maintains a generally neutral tone. Ludwig's analysis confirms its proper usage and provides examples demonstrating its role in expressing opinions and evaluations. When writing, ensure that the context clarifies what is being compared to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

least preferred

Highlights a choice or selection process where an option is ranked lower.

last choice

Suggests something is only selected when all other options are exhausted.

most unwanted

Emphasizes the lack of desire from a negative perspective; stronger connotation.

undesirable

Formal term indicating something is not appealing or suitable.

most disliked

Indicates aversion or negative feelings towards something.

rejected option

Suggests a formal rejection or dismissal of an alternative.

least favorite

Refers to personal preference, often in a subjective context.

least attractive

Focuses on the lack of appeal or attractiveness of something.

bottom of the list

Implies a ranked order where the item is at the very end.

not wanted

A more straightforward expression of a lack of desire.

FAQs

How can I use "least desired" in a sentence?

Use "least desired" to indicate the option that is the least preferred among a set of choices. For example, "Among the available candidates, John was the "least desired" for the position".

What are some alternatives to "least desired"?

You can use alternatives like "least preferred", "most unwanted", or "least favorite" depending on the context.

Is "least desired" formal or informal?

"Least desired" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.

How does "least desired" differ from "undesirable"?

"Least desired" implies a comparison among multiple options, whereas "undesirable"/"undesirable" simply means not wanted or appealing, without necessarily implying a comparison.