less ugly

USAGE SUMMARY

"less ugly" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is an adjective used to describe something that has a lesser degree of ugliness than another thing. For example: "The new design of the website is less ugly than the old one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

He makes her a plucky '50s-heroine with a core of bewildered honesty — in a sea of ugliness she's an island of something less ugly.

The New York Times

That is less ugly.

The Guardian

Normalise the mood, make it less ugly".

The Guardian

Extracting the deeper stuff is less ugly but also damaging.

The Economist

There has been less ugly reaction than ordinarily.

The New Yorker

As in Virginia, it's all about being less ugly.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

I found the Skele-Toes to be quite comfortable if slightly less abrasively ugly than Vibrams.

TechCrunch

This rhetoric is nothing less than ugly fear mongering to an increasingly fearful public.

Huffington Post

Altogether, the impact of such a large convict population was less grim and ugly than might be expected.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Isn't it disgusting?" And she helps herself to one of my nice clean ones which, in an absurd way, makes me feel less of an ugly sister.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The country would be an uglier, less equal, less prosperous, more paranoid, more myopic, and more mean-spirited place.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less ugly", ensure the comparison is clear. Specify what the subject is less ugly than for effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "less ugly" when a significant improvement has occurred; opt for phrases that convey a more positive transformation, such as "more attractive" or "appealing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less ugly" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by indicating that it possesses a lower degree of ugliness than something else. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less ugly" is a comparative adjective phrase used to describe something that is not as unattractive as something else. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. While grammatically sound and quite common, as evidenced by its frequent appearance in News & Media sources, it's crucial to consider the context. In formal situations, alternatives like "more attractive" or "aesthetically improved" might be more appropriate. Remember to always make a clear comparison when using "less ugly" to ensure effective communication and avoid misunderstandings about the degree of improvement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not quite so unattractive

Subtly softens the initial assessment of unattractiveness with an emphasis on the initial negativity.

not as hideous

Emphasizes a reduction in extreme ugliness, maintaining a negative tone.

less repulsive

Emphasizes a decrease in repulsiveness.

slightly better-looking

Focuses directly on appearance, implying a small improvement.

improved in appearance

Directly points out the improvement in how something looks.

more attractive

Indicates a shift towards attractiveness rather than a reduction in ugliness.

more presentable

Highlights the suitability for display or offering.

somewhat appealing

Suggests a level of attractiveness, although moderate.

aesthetically improved

Highlights enhancement in visual appeal through specific modifications.

visually refined

Focuses on the improvement of visual elements through a polishing or perfecting action.

FAQs

How can I use "less ugly" in a sentence?

You can use "less ugly" to compare the appearance of two things, implying one is not as unattractive as the other. For example, "The updated interface is "less ugly" than the previous version".

What are some alternatives to saying "less ugly"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "more attractive", "not as hideous", or "slightly better-looking".

Is it appropriate to use "less ugly" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "less ugly" is generally more suited for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using phrases like "aesthetically improved" or "visually refined".

What's the difference between "less ugly" and "more attractive"?

"Less ugly" focuses on a reduction in unattractiveness, while "more attractive" indicates a positive increase in appeal. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the negative or positive aspect of the change.