more naughty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more naughty" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to compare levels of naughtiness between two things or people. Example: The children's behavior grew more naughty as the night went on.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

It was far more naughty nurse than old fogy.

The New York Times

A few portraits are more naughty than nice.

The New York Times - Arts

A little more naughty would have been nice.

The New York Times - Style

Panellist John Cushnie seemed to relish the cat's-away mood, being even more naughty than usual.

The Guardian

(Capote's circle also includes the publisher Bennett Cerf, ebulliently played by Peter Bogdanovich.) Capote's betrayal of his friends' confidences is habitual, and more naughty than cruel.

The New York Times

"Cowards Bend the Knee" carries traces of its self-consciously racy peep show past, but the overall vibe is more naughty than nasty.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Though the women, who are both paraded in states of undress before the camera, come across more like naughty schoolgirls than racy bohemians, they bring warmth and tenderness to their scenes together.

The New York Times

So be careful of anything after 1978, when dark and seditious moved more ­toward naughty frat boy.

The New York Times - Books

But in rich democracies at least, the active attentions of cultural police, state or private, are directed more at naughty rock lyrics or political "hate" music.

The Economist

Houellebecq's solemnly blunt descriptions of sex acts are notorious, or as notorious as such things can be in a sex-saturated age; but it is one thing to propagandize for sex and another to integrate it, as more than "naughty bits," into the conflict-ridden flow of incident and psychology that make up a novel.

The New Yorker

Resembling more a naughty third-grader than a college professor, Mr. Grayson added kissing sounds to his description of amphibian reproduction and feigned a stomachache when describing how a female leatherback turtle lays 80 to 100 eggs six times a year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "more naughty" to indicate a comparative increase in mischievous or slightly bad behavior, avoiding stronger terms unless the context truly warrants them.

Common error

While "more naughty" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid it in formal writing where stronger or more precise terms like "more inappropriate" or "more unethical" might be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more naughty" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to describe something that exhibits a greater degree of mischievousness or mild bad behavior compared to something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more naughty" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase for expressing a comparative level of mischief or mild bad behavior. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for neutral to informal contexts, appearing frequently in news and media. When writing, consider stronger alternatives for professional or academic settings. Remember that "more naughty" suggests playfulness, differentiating it from terms like "more wicked", which imply malevolence. The provided examples highlight its use in describing behavior that is mischievous rather than seriously wrong.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more mischievous

Focuses on playful misbehavior rather than explicit naughtiness.

more badly behaved

Highlights negative conduct and lack of discipline.

more disobedient

Emphasizes a refusal to follow rules or commands.

more improper

Suggests a violation of social norms or etiquette.

more wicked

Implies a degree of malevolence or harmful intent.

more unruly

Describes a lack of control and tendency towards disorder.

more roguish

Conveys a sense of charming but dishonest behavior.

more immoral

Addresses more a violation of moral principles.

more depraved

Implies severe moral corruption.

more indecent

Highlights conduct that is offensive to common standards of decency.

FAQs

How can I use "more naughty" in a sentence?

You can use "more naughty" to compare levels of mischievousness. For instance, "The children became "more naughty" as the party went on".

What is a good alternative to "more naughty"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "more mischievous", "more improper", or "more wicked".

Is it appropriate to use "more naughty" in professional writing?

While generally acceptable, "more naughty" might be too informal for professional contexts. Consider using phrases like "more inappropriate" or "more unethical" depending on the specific situation.

What's the difference between "more naughty" and "more wicked"?

"More naughty" implies a playful or mischievous kind of bad behavior, while "more wicked" suggests something malicious or harmful. The difference lies in the severity and intent behind the action.