outright failure

USAGE SUMMARY

"outright failure" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It indicates a complete or total failure, without any success or partial achievement. It can be used in various contexts, such as in a business report, a personal narrative, or a news article. Example: Despite our efforts, the project was an outright failure. Our team was unable to complete it on time and within budget, resulting in disappointment from our clients and stakeholders.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Academisation is mired in corruption, cronyism and outright failure.

The Guardian

This ups the risk of confusion, inconsistency, or even outright failure.

Princeton University

It is also, always, comparative: measured against other people's relative lack of achievement or outright failure.

The New Yorker

The board's solitary hearing "is not just an inconvenience; it's an outright failure of democracy".

The New York Times

The inadequacy of legal justice is one thing, its outright failure is quite another.

The New York Times

And some planning has been a disappointment, if not an outright failure.

The Economist

There needs to be something, apart from Ofsted, standing between schools and outright failure".

The Guardian

I was perhaps too optimistic to end the Handmaid's story with an outright failure.

The Guardian - Books

By any objective measure, they have been an outright failure, including in their own terms.

The Guardian - Opinion

To call Japan's industrial policy an outright failure would be simplistic.

The New York Times

The outright failure of General Motors would eliminate the biggest auto employer and more than 100,000 manufacturing jobs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "outright failure" when you want to emphasize the completeness and totality of a failure, leaving no room for doubt or partial success. For example: "The marketing campaign was an "outright failure", yielding no new leads."

Common error

While "outright failure" is strong, avoid using it excessively or in contexts where the situation is merely suboptimal. Overusing such dramatic language can diminish its impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic. Consider milder terms if the situation warrants it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outright failure" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It serves to identify and categorize a situation or endeavor as having completely failed. Ludwig shows examples in diverse contexts, reinforcing its broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

18%

Science

13%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "outright failure" is a frequently used noun phrase that denotes a complete and decisive lack of success. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and broad applicability across various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific writing. The phrase is neutral in register but carries a strong negative connotation, making it suitable for conveying serious assessments. For alternatives, consider "unmitigated failure" or "absolute failure". When using the phrase, avoid overuse and be mindful of the dramatic impact it creates to maintain clarity and credibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unmitigated failure

Emphasizes the complete and total nature of the failure, leaving no room for doubt.

absolute failure

Highlights the utter lack of success, portraying the failure as definitive and unqualified.

total debacle

Implies a complete and humiliating failure, often with elements of disorganization and chaos.

complete fiasco

Suggests a ridiculous and embarrassing failure, often involving public humiliation.

resounding defeat

Focuses on the conclusive and decisive nature of the failure, often in a competitive context.

abject failure

Indicates a miserable and humiliating failure, often accompanied by a sense of shame or disgrace.

miserable failure

Highlights the disappointing and regrettable nature of the failure, evoking feelings of sadness or discouragement.

crushing defeat

Emphasizes the devastating impact of the failure, suggesting a significant blow to morale or confidence.

unqualified failure

Stresses the unambiguous and indisputable nature of the failure, leaving no room for ambiguity.

unequivocal failure

Similar to unqualified failure, reinforcing the clear and certain nature of the unsuccessful outcome.

FAQs

How to use "outright failure" in a sentence?

You can use "outright failure" to describe situations where something completely fails to achieve its intended purpose or goal. For example: "The company's new product launch was an "outright failure", resulting in significant financial losses."

What can I say instead of "outright failure"?

You can use alternatives like "unmitigated failure", "absolute failure", or "total debacle" depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Which is correct, "outright failure" or "complete failure"?

Both "outright failure" and "complete failure" are correct and convey a similar meaning. "Outright failure" emphasizes the decisiveness of the failure, while "complete failure" focuses on the totality of the lack of success. They are largely interchangeable.

What's the difference between "outright failure" and "setback"?

"Outright failure" implies a total lack of success, whereas a "setback" suggests a temporary obstacle or delay in progress. A setback is a temporary impediment, while an "outright failure" is a final and decisive lack of success.