sheer disgust

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sheer disgust" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong feeling of revulsion or strong disapproval towards something. Example: "When she saw the state of the kitchen, she was filled with sheer disgust at the mess."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"No! Sorry," you blurt, hoping they haven't seen the look of sheer disgust on your face.

Independent

That certainty was founded on nothing related to polling data, but rather their sheer disgust and disbelief with Trump's politics.

The Guardian - Opinion

Diggler commended Trump for voicing an opinion "that most voters share: their sheer disgust with the city of Chicago".

The New Yorker

To Dunham's eternal credit, she helped to challenge this – her incessant yet casual flaunting of her "imperfect" (translation: normal) naked body (once memorably playing table tennis) was undermining conventional Hollywood ways, where the female form must be slim, perfect and hyper-sexualised, or everyone's eyeballs would spontaneously melt out of their sockets in sheer disgust.

The Guardian - Opinion

His bons mots would not trouble the compiler of an anthology of quotations but I'll never forget the sheer disgust in his voice at Edgbaston in 1985 when Australia's unhappy hooker, Andrew Hilditch, was caught in the deep for a third Test in a row.

The Guardian - Sport

Mario Goetze was asked by a TV reporter after the Poland game, "Are Germany in a crisis?" Goetze looked at the reporter with sheer disgust, a look on his face that suggested 'what a stupid question' and just walked off.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

If not, it could be that sheer collective disgust is enough to bring about change.

The New Yorker

But here's a question: how many modern sports have expired because spectators stomped away out of sheer moral disgust?

The Guardian - Sport

Watching this film was like having bad sex with someone you loathe – a hideous combination of sheer boredom and disgust.

The Guardian - Film

I daresay you may even black out with sheer nausea and disgust!" The car moved swiftly over the looping road, past Ospedaletti and San Remo.

Vice

If the Clintons get the Democratic nomination this will all come roaring back -- and John McCain will win because the disgust factor, the sheer image of Big Dog Bill strutting around those private White House rooms, will cause the bile rise up in the national gizzard when November comes.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sheer disgust" to express a powerful feeling of revulsion or disapproval, particularly when emphasizing the intensity of the emotion. It's effective in conveying a strong negative reaction.

Common error

While "sheer disgust" is appropriate in many contexts, avoid using it excessively in formal or academic writing. Opt for more nuanced or sophisticated vocabulary to convey complex emotions or judgments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sheer disgust" functions as an emotional descriptor, highlighting the intensity of the feeling of disgust. It modifies the noun "disgust" to emphasize its strength. As Ludwig AI confirms, it expresses a strong negative reaction.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sheer disgust" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, employed to convey a strong feeling of revulsion or disapproval. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it effectively emphasizes the intensity of disgust. While its frequency is classified as uncommon, it's predominantly found in news and media contexts. When using the phrase, be mindful of the context and audience, especially in formal writing where more nuanced alternatives may be appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sheer repugnance

Similar to the original, but emphasizes the repulsiveness of something.

unadulterated disgust

Emphasizes the purity and intensity of the feeling of disgust.

sheer revulsion

Similar to the original, but focuses on the revolting aspect of something.

utter revulsion

Emphasizes a complete and total feeling of repugnance.

absolute loathing

Highlights intense hatred and aversion.

pure abhorrence

Conveys a sense of moral repugnance and detestation.

complete detestation

Stresses a strong feeling of dislike and aversion.

intense contempt

Focuses on a feeling of disdain and disrespect.

unmitigated aversion

Highlights an unwavering feeling of dislike.

profound distaste

Indicates a deep and significant dislike.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "sheer disgust" in a sentence?

Use "sheer disgust" to describe a situation or action that evokes a strong feeling of revulsion. For instance, "The sight of the polluted river filled her with "sheer disgust"".

What are some alternatives to "sheer disgust"?

You can use alternatives like "utter revulsion", "absolute loathing", or "intense contempt" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "sheer disgust" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "sheer disgust" might be too informal for some academic or professional contexts. Consider using more nuanced alternatives like "profound distaste" or "unmitigated aversion".

What distinguishes "sheer disgust" from "mild dislike"?

"Sheer disgust" indicates a powerful emotional response involving revulsion, whereas "mild dislike" suggests a weaker, less intense negative feeling. The former implies a strong aversion, while the latter suggests a simple preference against something.