monolithic

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'monolithic' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective that means being or having the characteristics of a single, large and powerful entity or organization. For example, you could say "The monolithic company dominated the market for years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

North of Addis Ababa we took a hard, dusty mountain road to the ancient holy city of Lalibela and marvelled at the monolithic cave churches hewn from bare rock.

The Guardian - Travel

"The whole 'spare the rod, spoil the child' [mentality] is very monolithic".

The Guardian - Sport

And is the future a group of disparate networks working on common standards rather than the big systems we associate with a more monolithic national health service?

The Guardian

Windows users might hate iTunes (and don't we know it) but it's monolithic for a reason.

The Guardian - Tech

But when I contact Stemple by email, she describes a "constant drum beat that women are the rape victims" and a milieu in which men are treated as a "monolithic perpetrator class".

The Guardian

Past shows have featured the monolithic concrete and glass sculptures by Cristian Andersen; stop-motion nightmares from Cristóbal León; and installation, video and photographs from Katrina Daschner such as the sexually charged Murderess series featuring hooded, axe-wielding women in bleak, wintry forests.

The Guardian - Travel

The appeal of this approach is that it offers a way of fighting for equality in a less monolithic state sector.

The Guardian

Beyond the electoral mathematics of Glasgow's supposedly monolithic Labour majorities is a deeper question: how did the city of Red Clydeside, Jimmy Reid and the anti-poll tax protests – a Labour heartland for a century, which voted by 54.5% to support independence in last September's independence referendum – lose faith with the party?

The Guardian

Now some history that may please you less: it was Australia's 12th – and probably its most avowedly Anglophile and monarchist – PM, Sir Robert Menzies, who sidelined the monolithic monument from its pride of place in front of Old Parliament House because it was an eyesore.

The Guardian

For the Official Charts Company, the struggle moving forward will be to stay on top not just of shifting consumption patterns, but also the business decisions made by monolithic technology companies.

The Guardian - Music

The one silver lining is that minorities, obviously, do not vote as a monolithic block; while only 6% of African background voted Tory, 24% of Indian background did.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing organizational structures, use "monolithic" to convey a sense of centralized control and lack of internal differentiation. For example, "the company's monolithic management structure hindered innovation".

Common error

While "monolithic" is a powerful descriptor, it can sound overly formal or negative in casual conversation. Opt for simpler words like "large", "unified", or "consistent" when writing for less formal audiences.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "monolithic" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe their unified, massive, and often inflexible nature. Ludwig highlights its use in describing structures, organizations, and systems.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

27%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "monolithic" describes something as a single, massive, and often inflexible entity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and notes its frequent use across various contexts. The word is prevalent in news, business, and scientific writing, used to denote entities characterized by their imposing size, uniformity, and resistance to change. While effective, it's crucial to avoid overuse in casual conversation, where simpler alternatives may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

single unified structure

Replaces "monolithic" with a more descriptive phrase emphasizing unity and structure.

rigid and inflexible system

Highlights the lack of flexibility associated with a "monolithic" entity.

homogenous and undifferentiated

Focuses on the lack of variety or distinction within the entity.

massive unchanging organization

Emphasizes the size and resistance to change of the organization.

unitary and centralized power

Highlights the concentration of power in a single entity.

impenetrable and solid mass

Uses a more figurative description to convey the idea of a solid and unyielding structure.

uniform and standardized entity

Focuses on the uniformity and lack of deviation.

integrated and cohesive unit

Emphasizes the unity and integration of components into one single object.

colossal unyielding institution

Conveys the large size and inflexibility of the institution.

consolidated and unwavering front

Implies solidarity and resistance to opposition.

FAQs

How to use "monolithic" in a sentence?

You can use "monolithic" to describe something large, unified, and often resistant to change. For example, "The company was known for its "monolithic" organizational structure".

What can I say instead of "monolithic"?

You can use alternatives like "unified", "rigid", or "inflexible" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "monolithic structure" or "modular structure"?

"Monolithic structure" describes a unified, single-part entity, while "modular structure" refers to a system composed of separate, interchangeable components.

What's the difference between "monolithic" and "homogenous"?

"Monolithic" emphasizes the unified and often unyielding nature of something, while "homogenous" highlights the lack of diversity or variation within it. A "monolithic" entity can also be homogenous, but not always.