preposterously

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preposterously" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is absurd, ridiculous, or contrary to reason. Example: "The idea that we could finish the project in one day was preposterously optimistic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The notion that anybody should worry that pupils are "bored" in class, as Ms Vallaud-Belkacem put it, is judged preposterously indulgent.

The Economist

The analogy was a clever one, but on closer inspection looked mainly like a clever way to put a preposterously brave face on the Tories' troubles.

The Economist

In 1976 he was in court again, charged preposterously with having raided a bank in Putney after popping out to buy some typewriter ribbons.

The Economist

As its spokesmen pose preposterously as arbiters of the arcana of reincarnation, they just could be providing cover for such an about-face.

The Economist

Those who would raise taxes are preposterously lauded for their "courage".

The Economist

She continues to maintain, preposterously, that Standard & Poor's downgraded America's credit because Congress raised the debt ceiling.

The Economist

If the 101 Ranch was preposterously larger than life, Ms Proulx offers a Wyoming that is depressingly smaller than reality.

The Economist

That is how Mr Starr ended up, preposterously, questioning Arkansas state troopers on Mr Clinton's sex life.

The Economist

Yes, it polarised America: it deepened the anger of the president's enemies, who watched him splitting hairs over the meaning of words like "truth" and "alone", while also deepening the indignation of the president's sympathisers, who find his inquisitors preposterously intrusive.

The Economist

So even if your goal is to soak the rich, they don't get effectively soaked, you just distort capital allocation.9 12 : Hillary Clinton preposterously claims that if she were president over the last year, America would have avoided the worst of today's economic woes.

The Economist

Preposterously space-suited, sweating heavily and near middle-aged he may be, but he is no robot.At every bounding step, by Armstrong and Aldrin, the moon seemed almost to accommodate itself to man.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "preposterously" with adjectives to intensify their meaning and convey a heightened sense of incredulity.

Common error

While "preposterously" is effective, it can sound too informal or hyperbolic in professional or academic writing. Choose a more neutral adverb like "excessively" or "unreasonably" for a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "preposterously" modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to intensify the degree to which something is absurd or ridiculous. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and usable. Examples show it emphasizing the unbelievable nature of a statement or action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preposterously" functions as an adverb to emphasize the absurdity or ridiculousness of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. While frequently found in News & Media, it's important to consider the formality of the context before using it, opting for more neutral alternatives like "excessively" in professional or academic settings. The phrase is used to express disbelief or mockery, adding a strong sense of incredulity. Be mindful of overusing it in formal writing to maintain an appropriate tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absurdly

Focuses more directly on the nonsensical nature of something.

ridiculously

Emphasizes the laughable quality of something.

ludicrously

Highlights the foolishness or unreasonable aspect of something.

outrageously

Suggests a shocking or offensive level of unreasonableness.

incredibly

Implies something is hard to believe due to its extreme nature.

fantastically

Highlights the fanciful or unbelievable nature of something.

unbelievably

Stresses the difficulty in accepting something as true.

excessively

Indicates that something goes beyond reasonable limits.

exorbitantly

Often used to describe prices or costs that are unreasonably high.

unreasonably

Directly states the lack of reason or justification behind something.

FAQs

How can I use "preposterously" in a sentence?

"Preposterously" is an adverb used to describe something as absurd or ridiculous. For instance, "The idea that we could finish the project in one day was "preposterously" optimistic."

What are some alternatives to "preposterously"?

Alternatives include "absurdly", "ridiculously", and "ludicrously", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to use "preposterously" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "preposterously" might be considered too informal for certain formal contexts. Consider using a more neutral term like "excessively" or "unreasonably".

What's the difference between "preposterously" and "ridiculously"?

Both adverbs indicate something is unreasonable, but "preposterously" often implies a greater degree of incredulity or outrage than "ridiculously".