ridiculous truth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ridiculous truth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a truth that is so absurd or unbelievable that it seems ridiculous. Example: "The ridiculous truth is that the most successful people often fail more times than they succeed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"All babies are beautiful," Mrs. Deer insists, refusing to recognize the ridiculous truth — even after the roaring baby disposes of a round of well-meaning ­caregivers.

The New York Times - Books

No attempts to be diplomatic, no two-faced, slimy politicians; just the ridiculous truth.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

I know it sounds ridiculous, but the truth is that the coffee in Vegas isn't very good, and a damn fine cup in the morning is a great way to start the day.

TechCrunch

"High-minded competition in the pursuit of the truth, and ridiculous petty competition – because they're guys.

The Guardian

It sounds ridiculous, but it's the truth".

The New York Times - Magazine

"I thought he looked ridiculous, to tell you the truth," Payton, 22, said, laughing over the phone.

The New York Times - Sports

I remember thinking that this was all ridiculous because I knew the truth: there was no abuse in our household".

The New York Times

Soon he takes to wearing a ridiculous hairpiece to disguise the truth that he's balding.

Huffington Post

We all laugh at the exaggeration that was, while a little ridiculous, not far from the truth.

Vice

In any case, I've always found the idea of "speaking truth to power" faintly ridiculous.

The Guardian - Opinion

While this conversation sounds ridiculous, there is a grain of truth in it.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ridiculous truth" when you want to emphasize the paradoxical nature of a situation where something that is true is also unbelievably absurd or contrary to expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "ridiculous truth" when a simpler term like "absurdity" or "falsehood" would suffice. The phrase is most effective when highlighting a genuine paradox or irony, not just general silliness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ridiculous truth" functions as a noun phrase, where "ridiculous" modifies "truth". It describes a specific kind of truth – one that is absurd or unbelievable, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ridiculous truth" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a truth that is so absurd or unbelievable it seems comical or paradoxical. Although its usage is rare, as per Ludwig AI, it effectively highlights irony in various contexts, primarily within news and media. When writing, reserve "ridiculous truth" for situations where you specifically want to emphasize the contradictory nature of a fact and consider alternatives like "absurd reality" or "preposterous fact" for similar but slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absurd reality

Replaces "truth" with "reality", emphasizing the disconnect from what is expected.

preposterous fact

Substitutes "ridiculous" with "preposterous", highlighting the outrageous nature of the truth.

ludicrous fact

Similar to "preposterous fact", emphasizing the laughable nature of the fact.

ironic twist

Focuses on the ironic nature of the situation, where the truth is contrary to expectations.

unbelievable reality

Emphasizes the difficulty in accepting the truth, suggesting it is hard to believe.

farcical reality

Replaces "ridiculous" with "farcical", pointing out the comical and absurd nature of reality.

implausible truth

Highlights the lack of credibility of the truth.

inconceivable reality

Suggests the truth is beyond comprehension or imagination.

outlandish fact

Emphasizes the bizarre and unconventional nature of the truth.

comical truth

Highlights the humorous aspect of the truth, even if unintentional.

FAQs

How can I use "ridiculous truth" in a sentence?

You can use "ridiculous truth" to describe a situation where something factual is also absurd or unbelievable. For example: "The "ridiculous truth" is that sometimes the most obvious solutions are overlooked."

What's a good alternative to "ridiculous truth"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives like "absurd reality", "preposterous fact", or "ironic twist".

Is "ridiculous truth" grammatically correct?

Yes, "ridiculous truth" is grammatically correct. It combines an adjective ("ridiculous") with a noun ("truth") to describe a specific kind of truth.

When is it appropriate to use "ridiculous truth" in writing?

Use "ridiculous truth" when you want to highlight the irony or paradox of a situation where a fact is simultaneously true and unbelievably absurd. It adds emphasis to the contradictory nature of the truth being conveyed.