totally preposterous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "totally preposterous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express strong disbelief or to describe something that is absurd or ridiculous. Example: "The idea that we could solve the problem overnight is totally preposterous."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Going to the Sahara desert with hundreds of bright red footballs was totally preposterous.

Independent

Mr. Iger, the president of Disney, called the $300 million figure "totally preposterous".

The New York Times

I envisioned myself writing again, and it didn't seem like a totally preposterous idea.

The New York Times - Magazine

Angelina Jolie's rogue leg on Oscar night, crooked at the perfect angle and totally preposterous for that.

Independent

But I guess that's my weird view on life: that everything is totally preposterous and what-the-fuck-is-this?

The Guardian

As for the regulatory hearing, scheduled for May, Mr. Alboini dismissed the accusations as "totally preposterous" and characterized them as the product of nitpicking by an overzealous regulator.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

It's all preposterous.

Huffington Post

"It was totally fictional, just preposterous," Mayor Oliner said.

The New York Times

"The pleading contains little more than false, gratuitous, slanderous, preposterous and totally irrelevant personal attacks on TWC and its principals".

The Guardian - Film

A Weinstein Company statement reads: "The pleading contains little more than false, gratuitous, slanderous, preposterous and totally irrelevant personal attacks on TWC and its principals".

Independent

The idea that two different musicians playing in two different genres, both highly skilled, should somehow make the same money is as utopian as it is preposterous because it totally ignores the demand side of the equation.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "totally preposterous" to express strong disagreement or disbelief in a situation or idea you find absurd. It's most effective when responding to exaggerated claims or proposals.

Common error

While "totally preposterous" is acceptable, avoid using it excessively in formal writing such as academic papers or business reports. Opt for alternatives like "untenable" or "baseless" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "totally preposterous" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or idea to express strong disagreement or disbelief. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Books

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "totally preposterous" is a commonly used adjectival phrase expressing strong disbelief or absurdity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While suitable for news and media contexts, as well as everyday conversation, more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "utterly absurd" or "entirely unbelievable". The phrase effectively rejects claims or ideas considered nonsensical. It's important to remember the advice from the analysis to avoid overuse in very formal contexts. This is how you can use the phrase to its full potential.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly absurd

Emphasizes the complete lack of reason or sense.

completely ridiculous

Highlights the laughable and nonsensical nature of something.

absolutely ludicrous

Stresses the foolishness or silliness to an extreme degree.

plainly ridiculous

Suggests something is clearly and obviously foolish or silly.

entirely unbelievable

Highlights the impossibility of accepting something as true.

manifestly absurd

Points to the clear and undeniable absurdity.

patently false

Focuses on the obvious lack of truth or validity.

blatantly nonsensical

Emphasizes the obvious lack of sense or logic.

wholly unfounded

Indicates a complete lack of evidence or basis.

downright outrageous

Highlights that something is extremely shocking or unacceptable.

FAQs

What does "totally preposterous" mean?

The phrase "totally preposterous" means completely absurd, ridiculous, or unbelievable. It's used to express strong disagreement or disbelief.

How can I use "totally preposterous" in a sentence?

You might say, "The suggestion that we could finish the project in one day is "totally preposterous"" or "His excuse for being late was "totally preposterous"."

What are some alternatives to saying "totally preposterous"?

You can use alternatives like "utterly absurd", "completely ridiculous", or "patently false" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "totally preposterous" in formal writing?

While understandable, "totally preposterous" leans toward informal. In formal writing, consider "wholly unfounded" or "entirely unbelievable" for a more professional tone.