preposterous prices

USAGE SUMMARY

"preposterous prices" is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
It means that a price is unreasonably high. Example sentence: The store was charging preposterous prices for the items I needed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He can be fresh and distinct in showing how government can intervene to liberate voters from the tyranny of preposterous prices.

Independent

That's exactly what happened in the second half of the 1990s, and once again that corner of the valley universe is abuzz about the preposterous prices some are paying to own a small slice of a start-up that has no clear plan for making money.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

And on the retailer's Web site, there are cans of paint labeled "Skinny Skinny," in two colors, at the preposterous price of $49.95.

The New York Times

Perhaps the price was too high but the world has already paid a preposterous price for not standing up to the Serbia president, Slobodan Milosevic, eight years ago in Bosnia.

The Guardian

The preposterous price was exactly the point — it critiqued art-world avarice and the spectacle of consumption even as it participated in the fray.

The New Yorker

IF, for the last several years, you have felt you were being gaslighted by the preposterous price of secondhand clothing, the offerings here will help ground you.

The New York Times

But the changes that worry her the most are not that the wealthy have crushed the spirit of the place, or that preposterous home prices will make it impossible to raise a family.

Los Angeles Times

Just as preposterous, and extravagantly priced, is a range of jewellery and trinkets being sold by a firm called Dogeared, which hopes to sell lonely or fulfilment-seeking fans of Gilbert's book "something to wear, connect with, and take with you as your own story unfolds".

Independent

Some people will proclaim that price to be preposterous; after all, you're already paying for Internet service.

The New York Times - Tech

The latest way to beat those preposterous M.S.R.P.'s — manufacturer's suggested retail prices — is eBay Fashion Vault, a shopping club like Gilt Groupe but with some of the madcapness of eBay.

The New York Times - Magazine

The idea is preposterous, similar to a retailer's believing that reducing prices doesn't help move merchandise.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "preposterous prices" when you want to emphasize the absurdity or outrageousness of the cost, beyond simply being expensive. It adds a layer of disbelief or indignation to the statement.

Common error

While "preposterous prices" is grammatically correct, its slightly informal and emphatic tone might not be suitable for all formal writing. Consider using more neutral alternatives like "unreasonable prices" or "exorbitant prices" in professional or academic settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preposterous prices" functions as an adjective-noun phrase, where "preposterous" modifies the noun "prices". It serves to describe the prices as being absurd or ridiculous. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and understandable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preposterous prices" is a grammatically correct and understandable phrase used to describe prices that are absurdly high. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid English. While mainly found in news and media, its slightly informal tone suggests careful consideration is needed when using it in formal contexts. Alternatives like "unreasonable prices" or "exorbitant prices" may be more suitable in those settings. While the phrase is understood, its actual use remains relatively rare.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Absurd prices

Replaces "preposterous" with "absurd", indicating a high degree of unreasonableness.

Ludicrous prices

Substitutes "preposterous" with "ludicrous", emphasizing the ridiculousness of the prices.

Outrageous prices

Replaces "preposterous" with "outrageous", focusing on the shocking and unacceptable nature of the prices.

Unreasonable prices

Substitutes "preposterous" with "unreasonable", suggesting a lack of logic or justification for the prices.

Exorbitant prices

Replaces "preposterous" with "exorbitant", highlighting that the prices are excessively high.

Extortionate prices

Replaces "preposterous" with "extortionate", focusing on the exploitative nature of the high prices.

Ridiculously high prices

Expands the phrase to explicitly state the prices are high and ridiculous, offering a more descriptive alternative.

Crazy prices

Uses "crazy" to replace "preposterous", adding a more informal tone.

Unjustifiably high prices

Highlights the lack of justification for the high prices, making the criticism more explicit.

Silly prices

Uses "silly" to replace "preposterous", making it more lighthearted and playful.

FAQs

What does "preposterous prices" mean?

The phrase "preposterous prices" describes prices that are so high as to be considered absurd, ridiculous, or completely unreasonable.

What can I say instead of "preposterous prices"?

You can use alternatives like "absurd prices", "outrageous prices", or "unreasonable prices" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "preposterous prices" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "preposterous prices" might be too informal or emphatic for certain formal contexts. Consider more neutral options such as "exorbitant prices" or "unjustifiably high prices".

How do "preposterous prices" differ from simply "high prices"?

"Preposterous prices" implies a level of absurdity or outrageousness beyond just being expensive. It suggests the prices are so unreasonable that they're almost laughable or unbelievable, and that is slightly different from simply "high prices".