thoroughly offensive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thoroughly offensive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is deeply or completely insulting or hurtful. Example: "The comments made during the meeting were thoroughly offensive and unacceptable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"Thoroughly offensive tweet about rapists and USA," she wrote.

The Guardian

But wrested from its context, Mr. Sieferle's argument can sound thoroughly offensive.

The New York Times

When Mr Desmond said: "They're all Nazis", Mr Deedes replied: "That is thoroughly offensive.

The Guardian

In so many ways, that is thoroughly offensive – casually slandering thousands of polite Londoners in a whole heap of postcodes.

Independent

Someone has already been publicly shamed for dressing as Cecil the lion, which is thoroughly offensive to anyone with a recently deceased Zimbabwean lion among their next of kin.

Independent

There are a couple of disposable entries, and a thoroughly offensive one in which Wallace perversely argues that casually promiscuous members of his own generation "might well come to regard AIDS as a blessing, a gift perhaps bestowed by nature to restore some critical balance, or maybe summoned unconsciously out of the collective erotic despair of the post-60s glut".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Instead the Oakland Raiders beat them 15-12 in a thoroughly ugly offensive game, dropping Denver's record to 10-3.

The Guardian - Sport

Nonetheless, we re-attacked with great dash, and recaptured the positions and took the machine-guns and some prisoners, among them certain officers who insist on wearing nice new yellow gloves, and generally bearing themselves in a thoroughly Prussian offensive way.

The Times

February 26 , 1956or February 26 , 1958Réunion, France Michel Houellebecq, original name Michel Thomas (born February 26 , 1956 or 1958 Réunion, France), writer, satirist, and provocateur whose work exposes his sometimes darkly humorous, often offensive, and thoroughly misanthropic view of humanity and the world.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Some think the argument is too thoroughly egotistic and thus offensive to religion.

SEP

I found the sequel (like the original) ridiculous, offensive -- and thoroughly enjoyable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing the phrase "thoroughly offensive", ensure that the subject matter warrants such a strong reaction. Overusing the term can dilute its impact. Save it for situations that genuinely provoke outrage or disgust.

Common error

Avoid using "thoroughly offensive" to describe minor inconveniences or disagreements. This can diminish its impact and make your writing seem melodramatic. Reserve it for situations that genuinely warrant a strong negative reaction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thoroughly offensive" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something as deeply or completely insulting or hurtful. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's considered grammatically correct and usable in written English, intensifying the adjective "offensive."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "thoroughly offensive" is a grammatically sound and usable adjectival phrase used to express strong disapproval or disgust. According to Ludwig AI, it is considered correct. It is most frequently found in News & Media contexts. While its use is not exceedingly common, when employed, it serves to emphasize that something is not just mildly unpleasant but deeply insulting or morally wrong. When using "thoroughly offensive", it's crucial to consider the audience and ensure the intensity is appropriate for the situation, reserving it for instances that genuinely warrant a strong negative reaction. Alternatives like "utterly objectionable" or "deeply repugnant" can be considered based on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly objectionable

Replaces "offensive" with "objectionable" and "thoroughly" with "utterly", emphasizing the unacceptable nature of something.

deeply repugnant

Substitutes "offensive" with "repugnant" and "thoroughly" with "deeply", highlighting the repulsive quality.

absolutely appalling

Replaces "offensive" with "appalling" and "thoroughly" with "absolutely", stressing the shocking and dreadful nature.

completely unacceptable

Substitutes "offensive" with "unacceptable" and "thoroughly" with "completely", underscoring that something cannot be tolerated.

patently outrageous

Replaces "offensive" with "outrageous" and "thoroughly" with "patently", emphasizing the blatant and shocking nature.

wholly inappropriate

Substitutes "offensive" with "inappropriate" and "thoroughly" with "wholly", indicating something is entirely unsuitable.

blatantly disrespectful

Replaces "offensive" with "disrespectful" and "thoroughly" with "blatantly", stressing the obvious lack of respect.

utterly distasteful

Replaces "offensive" with "distasteful" and "thoroughly" with "utterly", highlighting the unpleasant and offensive nature.

thoroughly detestable

Substitutes "offensive" with "detestable", emphasizing the intense dislike or hatred it provokes. The intensity of the phrase is maintained with the word "thoroughly".

thoroughly objectionable

Replaces "offensive" with "objectionable", focusing on the quality of being opposed to or disapproved of, while keeping "thoroughly" to indicate the extent.

FAQs

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

You can use "thoroughly offensive" to describe something deeply insulting or hurtful. For example, "The comments made during the meeting were "thoroughly offensive" and unacceptable."

What are some alternatives to saying "thoroughly offensive"?

You can use alternatives like "utterly objectionable", "deeply repugnant", or "absolutely appalling" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "offensive" and "thoroughly offensive"?

"Offensive" means causing someone to feel resentful, upset, or annoyed. "Thoroughly offensive" intensifies this, indicating that something is deeply and completely insulting or hurtful.

When is it appropriate to use "thoroughly offensive" in writing?

It is appropriate to use ""thoroughly offensive"" when describing something that elicits a strong negative emotional response due to its highly objectionable nature. It is best used when the situation genuinely warrants a strong reaction.