melted away

USAGE SUMMARY

"melted away" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
You would use this phrase to describe something that has disappeared or dissipated over time. For example, "As the day went on, my worries melted away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Bert's cool melted away.

Independent

His followers melted away.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Its forces melted away.

The New Yorker

The anxiety melted away.

The Times

His pain melted away.

The New York Times - Health

They too melted away.

The Guardian

The gridlock melted away.

The New York Times

The turbans melted away.

The New York Times

"Most have melted away.

The New York Times

Supporters melted away.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It melted away his ears.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "melted away" to describe gradual disappearance or diminishing of intangible things like fears, anxieties, or resistance. For physical objects disappearing, consider other alternatives like "vanished" or "dissipated".

Common error

Avoid using "melted away" for concrete objects vanishing suddenly. While metaphorical, it best describes the slow fading of something abstract. Opt for alternatives like "vanished" or "disappeared" when referring to physical objects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "melted away" functions as a phrasal verb, often used intransitively to describe the disappearance or dissipation of something. As evidenced by Ludwig, it commonly depicts the easing or fading of intangible elements like anxieties, fears, or resistance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

12%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "melted away" is a common and versatile expression primarily used to describe the gradual disappearance of intangible things, such as anxieties or resistance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, from news to informal writing. While it's best suited for describing the easing of something abstract, overuse for concrete objects should be avoided in favor of options like "disappeared" or "vanished". Alternatives like "dissipated", "vanished", and "faded" offer subtle differences in meaning, catering to nuanced expression. It is important to use this phrase appropriately, as misusing this expression could lead to confusion or lack of clearness in the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disappeared

A general term for ceasing to be visible or present.

dissipated

Suggests a gradual disappearance, often referring to something intangible like a feeling or concern.

vanished

Implies a sudden and complete disappearance, often mysterious.

faded

Indicates a gradual loss of intensity or visibility.

evaporated

Suggests a transformation from a liquid state to a vaporous state, metaphorically used for sudden disappearance.

subsided

Describes the lessening of something, like a storm or a feeling.

lessened

Indicates a reduction in intensity or amount.

dwindled

Suggests a gradual decrease in size or amount.

petered out

Implies a gradual decline to nothing.

flew away

Suggests something that has disappeared very fast.

FAQs

How can I use "melted away" in a sentence?

You can use "melted away" to describe the gradual disappearance of something, often intangible. For instance, "The tension in the room "melted away" as the music began" or "Her fears "melted away" after the good news".

What can I say instead of "melted away"?

You can use alternatives like "dissipated", "vanished", or "faded" depending on the context. Each carries a slightly different nuance of disappearance.

Is it correct to use "melted away" to describe a physical object disappearing?

While possible in metaphorical contexts, it's more fitting for intangible things like feelings or resistance. For physical objects, "disappeared" or "vanished" are generally better choices.

What is the difference between "melted away" and "evaporated"?

"Melted away" typically implies a gradual diminishing or softening until something is gone, often used for emotions or abstract concepts. "Evaporated" suggests a more sudden and complete disappearance, similar to water turning into vapor.