overwhelming losses

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overwhelming losses" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe significant or devastating losses in various contexts, such as financial, emotional, or competitive situations. Example: "The company faced overwhelming losses last quarter, leading to significant layoffs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

And despite the overwhelming losses, the players kept returning.

The New York Times

The Conservatives have suffered two successive overwhelming losses to Labor, and they are struggling to regain momentum and overcome continual internal feuding.

The New York Times

These lessons were driven home in the Tet offensive of 1968, when North Vietnamese regulars and Communist guerrillas, the Vietcong, attacked scores of military targets and provincial capitals throughout South Vietnam, only to be thrown back with overwhelming losses.

The New York Times

A rebel group claimed on Facebook to have "liberated the border crossing with Israel" and to have "inflicted overwhelming losses" on the Syrian Army, destroying four of its tanks.

The New York Times

Like many of his neighbours, Andraj spent months living in relief camps, and recently returned home to overwhelming losses.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Above all, scholars reacted as mourners struggling with an overwhelming loss.

The New York Times

One started crying, a rare release in a city grimly stoic about the overwhelming loss of life.

The New York Times

However, after staking his campaign on a win in Indiana, Cruz suffered an overwhelming loss in the Hoosier State.

The Guardian

The overwhelming loss that Jeremy felt awakened some older grief that had been dislodged and exposed from the past, "the way an earthquake might open a crack in the ground and expose something long buried".

Independent

One morning this month the families of more than 40 people deported on a private charter flight to Jamaica experienced the overwhelming loss of relatives being taken thousands of miles away from the communities where many had lived for decades.

The Guardian - Opinion

We can expect that the president will either accept his resignation or ask Renzi to stay, but the prime minister's overwhelming loss, with about 60% of Italians rejecting the proposed changes, mean he is most likely leaving Palazzo Chigi.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events with significant negative impact, use "overwhelming losses" to convey the magnitude of the damage or defeat. Be specific about what was lost to enhance clarity and impact. For instance, specify "overwhelming financial losses" rather than just "overwhelming losses".

Common error

Avoid using "overwhelming losses" to describe minor setbacks or trivial issues. The phrase is best reserved for situations where the losses are truly substantial and have a significant impact. Using it for smaller issues dilutes its meaning and weakens your overall message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overwhelming losses" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "overwhelming" acts as a qualifying adjective intensifying the noun "losses". It signifies extensive or unbearable defeats, damages, or bereavements. Ludwig provides real-world examples where the phrase is used in varied contexts, like sports, politics, and natural disasters.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overwhelming losses" is a noun phrase used to describe significantly negative outcomes across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and demonstrates its usage in media, business, and scientific domains. While relatively infrequent, this phrase effectively conveys the severity and impact of major defeats or damages. To enhance your writing, use it when you want to emphasize the magnitude of setbacks, and consider specifying what was lost to provide clarity. Be cautious not to overuse it for trivial issues to maintain its impact. Alternatives like "substantial defeats" or "significant setbacks" may be suitable depending on context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substantial defeats

Replaces "losses" with "defeats" to emphasize the competitive aspect of the losses.

significant setbacks

Substitutes "losses" with "setbacks", portraying the losses as temporary impediments.

major defeats

Replaces "overwhelming" and "losses" with other more simple words, but preserves the general meaning.

crushing defeats

Emphasizes the demoralizing and decisive nature of the defeats.

extensive damages

Focuses on the damaging impact of the losses, replacing "losses" with "damages".

grave bereavement

Replaces "losses" to emphasize emotional impact and feelings of grief.

catastrophic failures

Highlights the disastrous nature of the losses, focusing on the failures.

heavy casualties

Emphasizes losses in terms of people affected; often used in military contexts.

severe downfalls

Focuses on the negative consequences and collapses resulting from the losses.

crippling blows

Uses a metaphor to describe the impact of the losses as something that impairs or disables.

FAQs

What does "overwhelming losses" mean?

The phrase "overwhelming losses" describes a situation where losses are so great in number or degree that they are difficult to bear or overcome. It suggests a significant negative impact or setback.

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

You can use "overwhelming losses" to describe a variety of situations, such as "The company suffered "overwhelming losses" due to the economic downturn" or "The team faced "overwhelming losses" during the war".

What are some alternatives to "overwhelming losses"?

Some alternatives to "overwhelming losses" include "substantial defeats", "significant setbacks", or "extensive damages" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "overwhelming losses" in formal writing?

Yes, "overwhelming losses" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing serious or significant negative outcomes. However, ensure that the context warrants the use of such a strong term.