overwhelming desire

USAGE SUMMARY

"overwhelming desire" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a very strong or intense feeling of longing or wanting. It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as describing someone's emotions, actions, or motivations. Example: Despite the challenges, she couldn't resist the overwhelming desire to travel the world and experience new cultures.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Capital's overwhelming desire was for peace and continued globalization.

The New Yorker

And I have an overwhelming desire to get involved".

The New Yorker

I've always felt an overwhelming desire to prove myself.

Independent

It quickly grows into an overwhelming desire for annihilation.

The New Yorker

Like many such persons, Turner has an overwhelming desire to do exactly as he pleases.

The New Yorker

"There is an overwhelming desire to keep the virus out of the area," he says.

The Economist

The region's overwhelming desire for electronics is providing some fuel for the middle-class economic engine.

The New York Times

People also expressed an overwhelming desire for Islam to rule their lives.

The New York Times

"But it reflects our overwhelming desire to do whatever we can to address these issues.

The New York Times

Jeffrey ended his life with dignity and control which was his overwhelming desire".

The Guardian

He said he also sensed "an overwhelming desire to return to normalcy and sanity".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "overwhelming desire" to depict intense emotions or motivations, lending depth and impact to your writing. For instance, instead of saying someone wanted something a lot, describe them as having an "overwhelming desire" for it.

Common error

Avoid using "overwhelming desire" too frequently in the same piece of writing. While it's a powerful phrase, overuse can diminish its impact. Vary your language by using synonyms like "intense longing" or "powerful urge" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overwhelming desire" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a very strong or intense feeling of wanting something, as demonstrated in many examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overwhelming desire" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed noun phrase used to depict a powerful and intense feeling of wanting something. As highlighted by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly found in News & Media and Wiki contexts, indicating its widespread applicability. While alternatives like ""intense longing"" or ""powerful urge"" exist, "overwhelming desire" effectively conveys the intensity of the emotion. Remember to avoid overuse for optimal impact. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples for contextual understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intense longing

Focuses more on the feeling of missing something or someone.

powerful urge

Emphasizes the compelling nature of the desire, suggesting an impulse.

burning ambition

Specifically refers to a strong desire for achievement and success.

consuming passion

Highlights the all-encompassing nature of the desire, suggesting it dominates one's thoughts.

uncontrollable craving

Implies a lack of self-control over the desire, often used in the context of addiction.

deep-seated yearning

Suggests the desire is profound and rooted in one's core values or emotions.

insatiable hunger

Uses a metaphor to describe a never-ending desire.

fervent wish

Implies a heartfelt and sincere desire for something to happen.

unyielding aspiration

Highlights the unwavering commitment and determination behind the desire.

compelling need

Suggests the desire arises from a fundamental requirement or deficiency.

FAQs

How can I use "overwhelming desire" in a sentence?

You can use "overwhelming desire" to describe a very strong feeling or motivation. For example, "She had an "overwhelming desire" to help those in need", or "His "overwhelming desire" was to travel the world".

What can I say instead of "overwhelming desire"?

You can use alternatives like ""intense longing"", ""powerful urge"", or "burning ambition" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "an overwhelming desire" or "a overwhelming desire"?

It is grammatically correct to say "an overwhelming desire" because "overwhelming" starts with a vowel sound. The article "an" is used before words beginning with a vowel sound.

What's the difference between "overwhelming desire" and "strong desire"?

"Overwhelming desire" suggests a more intense and compelling feeling than "strong desire". "Overwhelming" implies that the desire is so powerful it's difficult to resist or ignore.