powerful hunger

USAGE SUMMARY

"powerful hunger" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe an intense or overwhelming desire for food or something metaphorically. Example: "After the long hike, I felt a powerful hunger that could not be ignored." Alternative expressions include "intense hunger" and "voracious appetite."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Reference

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

What the Twist had done, however, was create a powerful hunger among modernist youth for new dance crazes based on the template of dancing on the spot, with no contact.

The Guardian - Music

Extreme protests have been the mainstay of activists around the world for years, but in India, which popularized and perfected the nonviolent protest and the quietly powerful hunger strike, there has been a recent rush to embrace increasingly unusual forms of agitation.

The New York Times

Any road to peace for Syria must contend with this powerful hunger menace.

Huffington Post

A barbecue was taking place, and I was tempted to ask for a bratwurst and some potato salad; one develops a powerful hunger when driving around aimlessly.

Huffington Post

The insider establishment is oblivious to the powerful hunger for transforming change from voters who have endured a decade of scarce jobs, stagnant wages, rising costs and financial pain in an economy they know is fixed and a politics they know is rigged.

Huffington Post

Ram Dass eventually realized that no matter how much or how often he took LSD, he would always "come down" to ordinary reality, and be left with, like the Pandora-smitten viewers of Avatar, a powerful hunger to live in those deeper realms all the time.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Power hunger.

Forbes

The children did not throw themselves on the rice; the rice was the property of the old woman, and these children had been inculcated with something more powerful than hunger.

The New Yorker

In 1946, a study known as the Minnesota Starvation Experiment documented the powerful connection between hunger and anger — an early description of the mental state now popularly known as "hangry".

The New Yorker

In 1946, a study known as the Minnesota Starvation Experiment documented the powerful connection between hunger and anger an early description of the mental state now popularly known as "hangry".

The New Yorker

Speaking in 2012, he said: Biologically, love is a powerful neurological condition like hunger or thirst, only more permanent.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using it in narrative or persuasive writing to evoke a strong emotional response from the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "powerful hunger" when the context actually refers to political ambition; in those cases, the term "power-hungry" or "hunger for power" is more precise. "powerful hunger" usually describes the strength of the feeling itself, not the object of authority.

Linguistic Context

In terms of grammatical structure, "powerful hunger" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective 'powerful' modifies the noun 'hunger'. According to Ludwig, this collocation is used to intensify the state of being hungry or desiring something. It often appears as the direct object of a verb (e.g., 'developed a "powerful hunger"') or as the subject of a sentence describing an influential force.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Reference

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "powerful hunger" is a robust and versatile English phrase that effectively communicates intensity. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a grammatically correct and widely accepted collocation. Whether used literally to describe the 'menace' of starvation or figuratively to describe a 'hunger for revolution', the phrase carries a weight that standard adjectives like 'big' or 'much' cannot replicate. It is particularly prevalent in high-quality journalism, appearing frequently in outlets like The New York Times and The Guardian. When writing, ensure you distinguish it from 'power hunger' (ambition) to maintain semantic clarity. Overall, it is an excellent choice for adding descriptive depth to your prose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strong hunger

Uses a more basic adjective that maintains the literal meaning with slightly less rhetorical impact

powerful craving

Shifts the focus from a general state of hunger to a specific, intense desire for a particular thing

urgent hunger

Emphasizes the immediate need for satisfaction rather than just the intensity of the feeling

intense craving

Pairs two strong terms to highlight the psychological depth of the desire

insatiable desire

Focuses on a hunger that cannot be satisfied, often used in metaphorical or romantic contexts

voracious appetite

A more formal or biological term often used to describe a large capacity for food or knowledge

fierce appetite

Adds a connotation of aggression or animalistic intensity to the hunger

consuming need

Describes a desire so strong that it takes over one's entire focus or identity

profound desire

A highly formal alternative that leans toward spiritual or intellectual longing

starving

A single-word verb form that expresses the extreme state of needing food

FAQs

How to use powerful hunger in a sentence?

You can use it to describe physical or metaphorical states, such as: 'After days in the wilderness, he felt a "powerful hunger" that eclipsed all other thoughts' or 'The electorate showed a "powerful hunger" for reform'.

What can I say instead of powerful hunger?

Depending on the context, you might use "intense hunger", "voracious appetite", or "insatiable longing".

Which is correct: powerful hunger or power hunger?

Both are correct but have different meanings. "powerful hunger" describes a strong feeling of wanting food or something else, while "power hunger" specifically refers to a desire for authority and control.

What is the difference between powerful hunger and intense hunger?

The difference is subtle; "intense hunger" is often more clinical or literal, whereas "powerful hunger" suggests a force that has the ability to drive action or change.