nastiness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nastiness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe unpleasantness, unkind behavior, or something that is morally or socially offensive. Example: "The nastiness of the comments made during the debate was shocking and uncalled for."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In short, it has often seemed nasty: not a useful, stringent, purgatorial nastiness of the kind Mrs Thatcher administered.

The Economist

I have a feeling that the nastiness will only continue for me as the summer gets warmer, because I love short-shorts, and other people seem to get quite hot under the collar when they see me in them.

The Guardian - Opinion

Every day, this Liberal-National government, led by Tony Abbott, provides new examples of its nastiness, its short-sightedness, and its willingness to destroy livelihoods, communities and the environment to enrich coal barons.

The Guardian

Farage revealed his hypocrisy – he is one of the rich public schoolboys he castigated – and his nastiness.

The Guardian - Opinion

My daughter has experienced some nastiness on Facebook in the past – not a huge amount, but a continuation of some bullying that was happening at her old school.

The Guardian

I said: "That's beautiful, but can I do other stuff?" How do you deal with the nastiness of a lot of celebrity coverage, like the Daily Mail's recent story about your "bizarre" dress sense?

The Guardian

"Extreme" directors included the likes of Gaspar Noé, Catherine Breillat and Bertrand Bonello, who all claimed to be extending the boundaries of the cinema by outdoing one another in nastiness.

The Guardian - Film

At the time I recall being mildly disappointed by what seemed like a rather conceptually slight work; almost too conventional compared with the relentless gothic nastiness of the author's notorious debut, The Wasp Factory, or the sheer imaginative triumph of his masterpiece The Bridge.

The Guardian - Books

This election is closest to 1992 – it has some of that nastiness about it").

The Guardian - Lifestyle

First, there appears to be less nastiness on its balance-sheet than one might think, because it has already shrunk and cleaned up its books.

The Economist

This sort of nastiness is more easily intelligible than the aggregate kind and is at least as important because many voters form their judgments on character first and policy only secondarily.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "nastiness", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. Alternatives like "malice" or "wickedness" might be more appropriate if you wish to emphasize intent or moral reprehensibility.

Common error

While "nastiness" is acceptable in many situations, avoid using it excessively in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated vocabulary to convey your meaning with greater clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "nastiness" is as a noun. It typically refers to a quality, state, or instance of being nasty or unpleasant. Ludwig AI confirms the correct usage of the word.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nastiness" functions as a noun denoting unpleasantness or offensiveness. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, its usage is considered correct and it is very common in the English language. It frequently appears in the realm of news and media, serving the purpose of expressing disapproval or criticism. While generally neutral in register, it can also be used in informal contexts. When you want to specifically emphasize the negative intention behind an action, consider using "malice" instead. In formal or academic contexts, you may consider a more sophisticated term to avoid sounding informal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unpleasantness

Focuses on the general quality of being disagreeable or displeasing.

meanness

Emphasizes the cruel or unkind nature of the behavior.

wickedness

Highlights the moral reprehensibility or evilness.

malice

Stresses the intention to do harm or evil.

foulness

Refers to something offensive to the senses, both literally and figuratively.

vile behavior

Emphasizes the disgusting or repulsive nature of the actions.

disagreeableness

Highlights the unpleasant or irritable quality.

offensive conduct

Focuses on actions that cause someone to feel hurt, angry, or upset.

rottenness

Implies a state of decay or corruption, both literally and figuratively.

depravity

Emphasizes the moral corruption and wickedness.

FAQs

How can I use "nastiness" in a sentence?

"Nastiness" can be used to describe unpleasant behavior, situations, or qualities. For instance, "The debate was filled with personal attacks and general nastiness."

What are some synonyms for "nastiness"?

Alternatives to "nastiness" include "unpleasantness", "meanness", "wickedness", and "malice", depending on the specific context.

Is "nastiness" a formal or informal word?

"Nastiness" is generally considered a neutral term, suitable for both informal and some formal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, more precise alternatives might be preferred.

What's the difference between "nastiness" and "malice"?

"Nastiness" refers to general unpleasantness or offensiveness, while "malice" implies a specific intent to do harm. "Nastiness" might describe a generally unpleasant situation, whereas "malice" describes a deliberate act of ill will.