odious

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'odious' is correct and can be used in written English.
It means extremely unpleasant or repulsive. Example: The dictator's odious regime oppressed and terrorized its citizens for decades.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even decomposition, though odious in sight and smell, is not dangerous; the bacteria that cause decomposition are not the same as those that cause disease.

The Guardian - Opinion

And for the odious comparison, Jessop gave two chances to Botham's one.

The Guardian - Sport

I bet the bikers had a right old laugh about it when they stopped at the pub for lunch, the odious morons.

The Guardian

Their ostensible grasps at scientific credibility crumble upon even a cursory inspection, and their odious arguments, bereft of facts, should not be allowed set the tone of the conversation.

The Guardian

Even the flimsy pretext of concern for children rings resoundingly hollow: despite the odious insinuations of conservative groups, homosexuality itself is not psychologically unhealthy.

The Guardian

It also accounts for the odious posters of Mrs Merkel defaced with a Hitler moustache brandished by demonstrators in Greece.Ganz, Schön, LustigGermans see things differently.

The Economist

However, we also believe in the principle of not supporting schools whose programs we, and our constituents, find to be odious and wrong.

The Economist

Let not the working man think himself merely an atom in the political machine; his vote might turn the election for Liverpool, and the one vote for Liverpool might destroy for ever this odious corn law.

The Economist

The restructuring, done under the auspices of the Paris Club, an informal group of western creditor countries, came earlier than expected and just in time for the first round of Iraqi elections expected in January.Generous or not, the deal owed nothing to the notion that Iraq's debts were "odious", incurred by a tyrannical government and therefore unworthy of repayment.

The Economist

General Pinochet probably did some very odious things, but some of his opponents were no angels.

The Economist

So we become less likely to feel that life is disposable or cheap, and more likely to see intolerably profound loss in premature death.Insofar as guns are seen as dangerous tools for killing, it makes sense that they would become increasingly odious to increasingly peaceful sensibilities.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "odious" to describe something that evokes strong disgust or intense dislike. Ensure the context aligns with this level of aversion to maintain impact.

Common error

Avoid using "odious" for mildly unpleasant situations; reserve it for scenarios that genuinely provoke strong revulsion or disgust to prevent diluting its impact.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "odious" functions to qualify a noun, indicating that it is deserving of or causing strong dislike or revulsion. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and the examples demonstrate how it is used to describe actions, regimes, or comparisons that are highly offensive.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "odious" is a powerful adjective used to describe something that evokes intense dislike or disgust. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage, and the numerous examples from sources like The Economist and The Guardian demonstrate its prevalence in news and formal writing. While it is grammatically correct and frequently used, reserve "odious" for situations that genuinely warrant strong aversion to avoid diluting its impact. Related phrases like "revolting", "repugnant", and "abhorrent" offer nuanced alternatives to express varying degrees of disgust or disapproval.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

revolting

This alternative conveys a sense of causing disgust or revulsion, emphasizing the physical or emotional repulsiveness of something.

repugnant

This alternative highlights the quality of being extremely distasteful or unacceptable, focusing on the moral or ethical offensiveness.

abhorrent

This term suggests inspiring disgust and loathing, highlighting a strong emotional aversion.

despicable

This alternative emphasizes the quality of being deserving of contempt or scorn, focusing on moral reprehensibility.

loathsome

This term indicates causing hatred or disgust, emphasizing the intensity of negative feelings.

detestable

This highlights something intensely disliked or hated, focusing on a strong aversion.

offensive

This term suggests causing displeasure or resentment, emphasizing the act of violating standards of decency.

distasteful

This term points to something unpleasant or disagreeable, often related to matters of personal preference or social norms.

repulsive

This emphasizes the quality of causing intense aversion or disgust, highlighting a strong negative reaction.

disgusting

This term indicates causing a feeling of revulsion or strong disapproval, emphasizing the unpleasantness of something.

FAQs

How is "odious" typically used in a sentence?

The word "odious" is generally used to describe something extremely unpleasant or repulsive. For example: "The dictator's regime was "odious"."

What are some alternatives to "odious"?

You can use alternatives like "revolting", "repugnant", or "abhorrent" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "odious" in formal writing?

Yes, "odious" is appropriate for formal writing when accurately describing something that incites strong dislike or disgust. Its use should align with the formality and seriousness of the context.

What's the difference between "odious" and "unpleasant"?

"Odious" implies a much stronger negative reaction than "unpleasant". While unpleasant simply means not enjoyable, "odious" suggests something is deeply offensive and evokes intense disgust.