the ugliest thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the ugliest thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an object, situation, or concept that is perceived as extremely unattractive or unpleasant. Example: "In my opinion, the ugliest thing in the gallery was the abstract sculpture that seemed to defy all artistic norms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

It was the ugliest thing.

The New York Times - Sports

It is the ugliest thing she has ever seen.

The New Yorker

"That's the ugliest thing to me," he said.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's the ugliest thing I've ever seen, but I keep my mouth shut.

The New York Times

Rowan called Allen's performance "the ugliest thing I ever saw in a courtroom".

The New Yorker

As long as it's a W, we can be the ugliest thing on the planet".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

The beginnings of a forest is one of the ugliest things on the planet.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"This is one of the ugliest things I've ever seen in my entire life," Mr. Rower said.

The New York Times - Arts

"The hungover eye," he writes, "had a weird ability to find the ugliest things in any given landscape".

The Guardian - Books

Twitter et al weakly argue that the point is freedom of speech – a cause fought for the hardest by those who have the ugliest things to say.

The Guardian

As for Cage, what interests him most, he says in an archival interview (in French), are the "ugliest things," because in the end we realize that they're not ugly at all, "but life itself".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "the ugliest thing", ensure that the context clearly establishes what is being compared. For example, specify 'the ugliest thing in the room' or 'the ugliest thing I've ever seen' for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "the ugliest thing" without providing any context or justification for your opinion. Instead, offer specific details about why you find something unattractive to make your claim more persuasive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the ugliest thing" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object. It identifies something as possessing the highest degree of unattractiveness. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

6%

HuffPost

6%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the ugliest thing" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase for expressing a strong negative opinion about something's appearance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to convey subjective judgments. While versatile, remember to provide context and avoid overuse in formal settings. Alternatives like "the most hideous object" or "the most unattractive item" offer similar but nuanced ways to express aesthetic disapproval.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the most hideous object

Replaces "ugliest" with a synonym emphasizing repulsiveness.

the most unattractive item

Uses a more general term for "ugliest", focusing on lack of appeal.

the least appealing object

Shifts the focus to the lack of appeal rather than outright ugliness.

aesthetically displeasing item

Employs more formal language to express a negative aesthetic quality.

an eyesore

A concise term for something visually offensive.

a blot on the landscape

Specifically refers to something that detracts from the visual harmony of a scene.

the most ghastly sight

Emphasizes the shocking and unpleasant nature of the sight.

visually offensive thing

Directly states that the item is unpleasant to look at.

repulsive object

Focuses on the repulsive nature of the object.

an abomination

Implies that the thing is not only ugly, but also morally or ethically wrong.

FAQs

How can I use "the ugliest thing" in a sentence?

You can use "the ugliest thing" to describe something that is extremely unattractive. For example, "In my opinion, that sculpture is "the ugliest thing" in the museum."

What are some alternatives to saying "the ugliest thing"?

Alternatives include "the most hideous object", "the most unattractive item", or "an eyesore", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "the ugliest thing" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "the ugliest thing" might be considered too subjective for formal writing. Consider using more objective language, such as "aesthetically displeasing item", in such contexts.

What's the difference between "the ugliest thing" and "the least attractive thing"?

"The ugliest thing" implies a stronger degree of unattractiveness than "the least attractive thing". The former suggests something is repulsive, while the latter simply means it lacks appeal.