palpable irony

USAGE SUMMARY

'palpable irony' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when a situation is ironic and the irony is easily felt or appreciated, so much so that it is practically tangible. For example, "The palpable irony of the situation was not lost on anyone in attendance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Halpern, who won a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2014, is not a Californian, which lends his project a palpable irony.

The New Yorker

But there's also a palpable irony to the fact that, by nearly every quantifiable metric, DAMN.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The irony is palpable, yet so is the joy.

The New York Times - Books

The irony is palpable.

Forbes

The irony is palpable: our technologies splinter time so that we are neither here nor there.

Vice

The irony is palpable: The Finnish prison and its surrounding workers' cottages are serving as a temporary home for people fleeing persecution — and possible prison terms — at home in Russia.

Los Angeles Times

The irony was palpable: that rendezvous at the diner on Cross Bay Boulevard in Queens seemed impossibly long ago now that the two are seated feet from each other in a courtroom.

Vice

Malcolm Sinclair's Stephen admirably combines dry irony with a palpable sense of paternal loss while Samuel Barnett as his wastrel son seems like an updated version of Shakespeare's Prince Hal torn between rival fathers.

The Guardian

The irony is certainly palpable: The CEO of the company that disrupted the personal transportation marketplace by focusing on the individual consumer — lost the trust of employees, drivers, shareholders, and eventually customers — in its manic pursuit of growth in the marketplace.

Forbes

That is all". Still, I return to the undercurrent of irony I find so palpable in the story, a tone so seemingly absent in the eyes of so many of its readers.

HuffPost

The irony was immense and the hypocrisy palpable.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "palpable irony" to describe situations where the ironic nature is immediately obvious and evokes a strong sense of incongruity or contradiction.

Common error

Avoid using "palpable irony" when the irony is subtle, nuanced, or requires deep analysis to be understood. "Palpable" suggests that the irony is easily perceived, so ensure it's not a stretch.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "palpable irony" functions as a descriptor, highlighting the readily perceived incongruity of a situation. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates that the irony is easily felt or appreciated. Examples show its use in describing situations where the contradictory nature is immediately apparent.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "palpable irony" is a phrase used to describe a situation where the irony is not only present but also easily noticeable and strongly felt. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While relatively infrequent, the examples provided demonstrate its application in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When using this phrase, ensure that the irony is indeed obvious and not subtle or requiring deep interpretation. Alternatives like "obvious contradiction" or "evident incongruity" can be considered for slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tangible irony

Focuses on the feeling and realness of "irony".

visible irony

Replaces "palpable" with a more straightforward synonym for something easily seen or understood.

distinct irony

Replaces "palpable" with a synonym that denotes clarity and unambiguity.

obvious contradiction

Focuses more directly on the conflicting elements, rather than the feeling they evoke.

evident incongruity

Highlights the lack of harmony or compatibility, which is a component of irony.

clear paradox

Emphasizes the self-contradictory nature of the situation.

readily apparent absurdity

Shifts the focus to the ridiculous or nonsensical aspect of the irony.

plain inconsistency

Underscores the lack of agreement or logical connection.

unmistakable incongruence

Stresses the lack of alignment or correspondence between elements.

noticeable discrepancy

Highlights the difference or divergence between things that should be similar.

FAQs

How can I use "palpable irony" in a sentence?

You can use "palpable irony" to describe a situation where the irony is very obvious and easily felt. For example, "The "palpable irony" of a fire station burning down was not lost on anyone".

What are some alternatives to "palpable irony"?

Some alternatives to "palpable irony" include "obvious contradiction", "evident incongruity", or "clear paradox", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "palpable irony" a formal or informal expression?

"Palpable irony" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but is more commonly found in writing and speeches due to its descriptive nature.

What does "palpable" mean in the context of "palpable irony"?

In "palpable irony", "palpable" means easily perceived, obvious, or tangible. It emphasizes that the irony is not subtle but rather very noticeable.