thoroughly nonsensical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thoroughly nonsensical" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is completely illogical or absurd. Example: "The explanation he provided for his actions was thoroughly nonsensical, leaving everyone confused."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

That is a policy that is just thoroughly nonsensical -- and dangerous.

The New York Times - Sports

And the plot of this shaggy-dog shoot-'em-up is no less elaborate (and thoroughly nonsensical), drawing in a retired F.B.I. agent (Rubén Blades), a duplicitous Mexican Federale (Eva Mendes) and sundry other heavies and jefes.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Which is why I offer an equally arbitrary and nonsensical -- but thoroughly more entertaining approach to solve this problem: Bracketology.

Huffington Post

Part of the reason for this is Gingrich is thoroughly unlikable among the electorate at large and utterly nonsensical in his approach to real problem-solving.

The New York Times

No matter that the label was nonsensical, that the writers had almost nothing in common and, indeed, that they thoroughly disliked each other's work and each other.

The Guardian - Books

Onto the nonsensical.

The New York Times

Food allergies are nonsensical.

The New York Times - Magazine

This is nonsensical.

The New Yorker

"It is completely nonsensical".

The New York Times - Tech

"This is nonsensical," Shapiro wrote.

The New Yorker

True considers the allegations nonsensical.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thoroughly nonsensical" to describe arguments, ideas, or actions that completely lack logic or reason. It's stronger than simply saying something is "nonsensical".

Common error

While "thoroughly nonsensical" is acceptable, consider stronger or more formal synonyms like "completely illogical" or "utterly absurd" in academic or professional writing to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thoroughly nonsensical" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, modifying a noun or noun phrase to describe something as completely lacking sense or logic. Ludwig shows examples where it describes policies, plots, and approaches.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thoroughly nonsensical" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe something completely illogical or absurd. As Ludwig confirms, it is mainly found in News & Media contexts. While relatively rare, it effectively conveys a strong sense of disapproval. For more formal situations, synonyms like "completely illogical" or "utterly absurd" might be preferred. The phrase usage is grammatically correct and acceptable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly absurd

Replaces "thoroughly" with "utterly", emphasizing the extent of absurdity.

completely illogical

Focuses on the lack of logical reasoning, replacing "nonsensical" with "illogical".

entirely preposterous

Uses "preposterous" to denote absurdity and "entirely" to emphasize its complete nature.

patently ridiculous

Emphasizes the obviousness of the ridiculousness.

absolutely ludicrous

Replaces "nonsensical" with "ludicrous", highlighting the laughably foolish nature.

totally irrational

Focuses on the lack of reason, similar to 'completely illogical' but with a slightly different connotation.

thoroughly irrational

Replaces "nonsensical" with "irrational", highlighting the lack of reason.

perfectly absurd

Emphasizes the quality of the absurdity, replacing "thoroughly" with "perfectly".

blatantly absurd

Stresses that the absurdity is obvious and unconcealed.

downright idiotic

Uses a more informal and forceful term, "idiotic", to express the nonsensical nature.

FAQs

How can I use "thoroughly nonsensical" in a sentence?

You can use "thoroughly nonsensical" to describe something that is completely illogical or absurd. For example, "The explanation he provided was "thoroughly nonsensical", leaving everyone confused".

What are some alternatives to "thoroughly nonsensical"?

Some alternatives include "utterly absurd", "completely illogical", or "patently ridiculous", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "thoroughly nonsensical" formal or informal?

"Thoroughly nonsensical" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. For very formal contexts, you might prefer "utterly absurd" or "completely illogical".

What does "thoroughly nonsensical" mean?

"Thoroughly nonsensical" means something is completely lacking in sense or reason; it's absurd to a high degree. The word thoroughly intensifies the meaning of "nonsensical".