much less appalling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "much less appalling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare two things, indicating that one is significantly less shocking or disturbing than the other. Example: "The situation was bad, but the previous incident was much less appalling in comparison."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Much less appalling.

The New York Times

But these are short-lived: Trump still seems likeliest to win in New Hampshire next week – not that an election season dominated by Cruz would be much less appalling anyway.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Nothing much happens, and the characters are all more or less appalling.

The Guardian - Books

This would be an appalling turn of events for anyone, much less for a young man starting out in life and those left bereaved by his death.

The New York Times

We've all been taught – or at least those of us without rose coloured spectacles have – by appalling, but brilliantly qualified, teachers and by outstanding, but much less well qualified, ones.

Independent

Most appalling, the United Nations Security Council is unable to muster the votes to condemn the bloodshed much less impose sanctions.

The New York Times

Much, much, much, much less perfect.

The New Yorker

Eat out much less.

The New York Times

God, much less bigotry.

Independent

How much less?

The New York Times - Tech

There will always be some attempt to shore up the less appalling aspects of Rhodes' legacy.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "much less appalling" when you want to emphasize a notable reduction in the severity of something negative, compared to something else. It's more impactful than simply saying something is 'less bad'.

Common error

Avoid using "much less appalling" in casual conversations or informal writing. Its formality might sound unnatural; consider using simpler alternatives like "not as bad" or "less awful" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "much less appalling" functions as a degree modifier, specifically intensifying the comparative adjective "less" to emphasize a significant reduction in the degree to which something is appalling. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "much less appalling" is a grammatically sound and usable expression best suited for formal contexts, primarily in news and media. It functions as a degree modifier, used to compare two situations, emphasizing that one is significantly less shocking or offensive than the other. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and while its usage is relatively rare, it can be a powerful tool for nuanced comparison. When aiming for a less formal tone, simpler alternatives like "not as bad" or "less awful" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerably less dreadful

Emphasizes a significant reduction in dreadfulness.

noticeably less awful

Highlights a perceptible decrease in awfulness.

significantly less horrifying

Focuses on a marked reduction in horror.

markedly less terrible

Indicates a clear and distinct reduction in how terrible something is.

appreciably less dreadful

Stresses a noticeable lessening of dreadfulness.

substantially less offensive

Indicates a large reduction in offensiveness.

measurably less disturbing

Focuses on a quantifiable decrease in how disturbing something is.

somewhat less shocking

Indicates a slight reduction in shock value.

a bit less ghastly

Suggests a small decrease in ghastliness.

marginally less unpleasant

Highlights a minimal decrease in unpleasantness.

FAQs

How can I use "much less appalling" in a sentence?

Use "much less appalling" to compare two situations where one is significantly less shocking or offensive than the other. For example: "The current economic crisis is serious, but the previous recession was "much less appalling" in comparison".

What are some alternatives to "much less appalling"?

You can use alternatives like "considerably less dreadful", "noticeably less awful", or "significantly less horrifying", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "much less appalling" in formal writing?

Yes, "much less appalling" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when comparing the severity of two negative situations. However, ensure the tone aligns with the overall formality of your piece.

How does "much less appalling" differ from simply saying "less bad"?

"Much less appalling" conveys a stronger sense of reduction in severity than "less bad". It suggests a significant difference in the level of offensiveness or shock, making it a more impactful comparison.