preposterous demand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preposterous demand" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a request or requirement that is absurd or unreasonable. Example: "The company's insistence on working overtime without pay was seen as a preposterous demand by the employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The moment when I knew Obama would win the 2008 election is when he refused to give in to John McCain's preposterous demand that they cancel a presidential debate in order to deal with the financial meltdown on Wall Street.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

And if their routines were creaky, their singing was a delight, and their acting gloriously in keeping with the preposterous demands of their material.

Independent

"I think they see some sort of political value in having the city tell them no, so they keep coming up with preposterous demands".

The New York Times

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan over potential Taliban peace talks spilled into the open on Friday, with Pakistan's foreign minister saying it was "preposterous" for Afghanistan to demand that her country deliver the insurgent leadership to the negotiating table.

The New York Times

In Nobbs's writing, the crossword is preposterous: a daily intellectual demand tackled by those whose lives have left them too battered to solve it, and who remain forever compelled to try.

The Guardian

Page A8 TENSION OVER AFGHAN TALKS Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan over potential Taliban peace talks spilled into the open with Pakistan's foreign minister saying it was "preposterous" for Afghanistan to demand that her country deliver the insurgent leadership to the negotiating table.

The New York Times

The idea that two different musicians playing in two different genres, both highly skilled, should somehow make the same money is as utopian as it is preposterous because it totally ignores the demand side of the equation.

Huffington Post

She took Tim shopping for the preposterous uniform, the required books; she met the school's endless demands for documentation.

The New York Times

No-one is buying that preposterous claim.Still, doubtless plenty of B-list brands will emerge to meet the new demand for virtue.

The Economist

Almost as preposterous as the plot, which turns on a fact about Eva that is incredible and demands lengthy explanation if we're to suspend our disbelief.

The Guardian - Books

But the most surefire role is Ms. Kayden's as the wily Suzette, who coolly demands a few more hundred francs every time she is asked to undertake some preposterous new role in the confused shenanigans.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "preposterous demand" when you want to emphasize that a request or expectation is not only unreasonable but also utterly absurd and deserving of ridicule. It carries a stronger connotation than "unreasonable demand".

Common error

While "preposterous demand" effectively conveys disbelief and absurdity, reserve it for situations where such strong language is appropriate. In formal or professional settings, consider using alternatives like "unreasonable request" or "unjustified requirement" to maintain a more measured tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preposterous demand" functions as a noun phrase where "preposterous" is an adjective modifying the noun "demand". According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct. It describes a request that is considered utterly absurd or ridiculous.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preposterous demand" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe an utterly absurd or unreasonable request. While considered correct by Ludwig, it's relatively rare, appearing mainly in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, be mindful of the strong negative connotation and consider more neutral alternatives like "unreasonable request" or "unjustified expectation" in formal settings. Alternatives such as "ludicrous demand" and "absurd demand" offer similar levels of intensity, while "outrageous demand" focuses on the shocking nature of the request.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ludicrous demand

Replaces "preposterous" with "ludicrous", implying absurdity.

absurd demand

Replaces "preposterous" with "absurd", conveying irrationality.

unreasonable demand

Substitutes "preposterous" with "unreasonable", focusing on the lack of justification.

outrageous demand

Replaces "preposterous" with "outrageous", emphasizing the shocking nature of the request.

ridiculous demand

Substitutes "preposterous" with "ridiculous", highlighting the silliness of the request.

preposterous request

Replaces "demand" with "request", a softer alternative.

irrational demand

Replaces "preposterous" with "irrational", focusing on the lack of logic.

preposterous requirement

Replaces "demand" with "requirement", framing it as a condition.

unthinkable demand

Substitutes "preposterous" with "unthinkable", highlighting the unexpected nature of the request.

preposterous expectation

Replaces "demand" with "expectation", framing it as something anticipated.

FAQs

What does "preposterous demand" mean?

A "preposterous demand" is a request or requirement that is utterly absurd, ridiculous, and completely unreasonable. It suggests the demand is so foolish as to be laughable.

What can I say instead of "preposterous demand"?

You can use alternatives like "ludicrous demand", "absurd demand", or "unreasonable demand" depending on the context.

Is "preposterous demand" too strong for professional writing?

It can be. While grammatically correct, "preposterous demand" carries a strong tone of disbelief and ridicule. Consider using more neutral alternatives like "unjustified request" or "unreasonable expectation" in professional contexts.

How do I use "preposterous demand" in a sentence?

You can use "preposterous demand" to describe a situation where someone is asking for something completely unreasonable. For example: "The CEO's demand for a 50% salary increase during a company downturn was seen as a "preposterous demand" by the employees."