ridiculousness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ridiculousness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the quality or state of being ridiculous, often in a humorous or critical context. Example: "The ridiculousness of the situation made everyone burst into laughter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But they're the dominant political event in the country this spring, and when the dominant political event consists of overwhelming, repeated ridiculousness, there's not much to do but keep pointing out how ridiculous it is.

The Economist

And in his opinion they were ridiculous precisely because he and others like him, visitors from the greater ridiculousness, had made them so — constructing an entire class of anxious, alienated charlatans out of fat checks and aspirations so stupidly good, so uncomfortable with reality, that only deceit could satisfy them.

The New Yorker

Most of the ridiculousness went against me, but it never failed to be entertaining.

The Guardian - Tech

Any claims that the study makes about the potential positive or (usually) negative effects of playing games tend to get over-egged to the point of ridiculousness.

The Guardian

These trips have taught me a lot, if nothing more than reminding myself of my own innate ridiculousness.

The Guardian

He seems to appreciate the ridiculousness of the situation.

The Guardian - Music

Commando revels in a sense of its own ridiculousness, and in that, is a lesson to us all.

The Guardian - Film

Waugh's satirical novel about the movie industry, the British expatriate community in Hollywood, the pet funeral business, and the sometimes ridiculous connections between the three was recommended by McSee, CarlRusso and JakeStockwell, who said: Evelyn Waugh snarls at the hypocrisy and ridiculousness of the American Dream and the Brits who try to maintain the pomp of their diminished homeland.

The Guardian - Books

The first was a concern about money; a few people kept mentioning how much I was now paid, implying an overall injustice, a deep ridiculousness, about my being HoD and being paid as much, and in some cases, more than them.

The Guardian

And in "The Master" (2012) red-faced and military-moustached, a cult-leader who softly and repeatedly asked the squirming Joaquin Phoenix, "Do you believe that God will save you from your own ridiculousness?" and could then explode into obscenity as if the devil was in him .The Master" was more or less a lead role, but that was unusual.

The Economist

Koch's poetry has a kind of over-the-top ridiculousness and a relentless exuberance.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ridiculousness" to describe situations or ideas that are so absurd they are worthy of scorn, mockery, or laughter. Ensure that the context clearly establishes the element of absurdity.

Common error

Avoid using "ridiculousness" in formal or serious contexts where a more neutral term like "inappropriateness" or "unreasonableness" would be more suitable. Overusing "ridiculousness" might undermine the gravity of the subject matter.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ridiculousness" is that of a noun. It refers to the state or quality of being ridiculous. As Ludwig indicates, it is used to describe something as absurd or laughable. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its role in expressing disbelief or amusement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

99%

Formal & Business

0.5%

Science

0.5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ridiculousness" functions as a noun to describe the state of being ridiculous, primarily used to express criticism or highlight absurdity. Ludwig AI analysis and numerous examples from news sources like The Guardian and The Independent confirm its common usage and grammatical correctness. While versatile, it's essential to consider the context and avoid overuse in extremely formal settings. Remember to use related phrases such as "absurdity", "ludicrousness", or "farcical nature" when appropriate to fine-tune your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ludicrousness

Nearly synonymous, but might emphasize the aspect of being laughable or silly.

absurdity

Similar in meaning, but can sometimes imply a more philosophical or profound lack of reason.

preposterousness

Implies a higher degree of outlandishness and incredibility.

farcical nature

Suggests a connection to farce, a type of comedy characterized by exaggerated and improbable situations.

silliness

Indicates a lighter, more playful form of foolishness.

foolishness

A general term for lacking good sense or judgment.

nonsense

Focuses on the lack of meaning or logical coherence.

incongruity

Highlights the lack of harmony or appropriateness.

buffoonery

Implies deliberately clumsy or absurd behavior.

the state of being laughable

Describes the condition that provokes amusement and scorn.

FAQs

How do you use "ridiculousness" in a sentence?

You can use "ridiculousness" to describe the quality of being absurd or laughable, as in, "The "ridiculousness of the situation" made it hard to take seriously".

What's a formal alternative to "ridiculousness"?

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "absurdity", "fatuity", or "irrationality" instead of "ridiculousness" to maintain a professional tone.

Is "ridiculousness" a positive or negative term?

"Ridiculousness" is generally a negative term, implying something is foolish, absurd, or worthy of mockery. However, it can sometimes be used playfully or ironically.

How does "ridiculousness" differ from "silliness"?

"Ridiculousness" suggests something is absurd or worthy of scorn, while "silliness" implies a more lighthearted, playful lack of seriousness. "Silliness" is less critical and often more endearing.