unacceptably bold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unacceptably bold" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is excessively daring or audacious, to the point of being unacceptable. Example: "The proposal was deemed unacceptably bold, pushing the boundaries of what the committee was willing to consider."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Ihop is yet to explain exactly what constitutes an unacceptably "bold" display.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Unacceptably bad musical note tattoo on neck.

The Guardian - Sport

Yet South Africa remains an unacceptably racist state, despite all the bold steps taken by Mr. de Klerk since he took power last August - freeing Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners, unbanning the A.N.C. and repealing apartheid laws.

The New York Times

The petition reads: "Climate change is one of the greatest moral challenges of our time... we need bold action like this to keep global temperature rise below the unacceptably dangerous tipping point of two degrees, to phase out carbon pollution to zero, and to invest resources in sustainable development pathways to build a more flourishing, inclusive and balanced world".

The Guardian

They split on whether American society is fundamentally and unacceptably unjust, with liberals optimistic about compromise and satisfied with a cautious approach, and progressives demanding bolder action to redress injustice in society.

The New York Times

Premiums are already unacceptably high.

The New York Times

But this is unacceptably informal for some.

The Economist

The unemployment rate is unacceptably high.

The New York Times

The ordinance was invalidated as unacceptably vague.

Cornell University

But often WolframAlpha can be unacceptably nerdy.

MIT Technology Review

His clever mind is wandering unacceptably.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unacceptably bold" when you want to emphasize that a particular action or idea crosses the line of what is permissible or reasonable due to its audacity.

Common error

Avoid pairing "unacceptably bold" with other intensifiers (e.g., 'very unacceptably bold') as it can make the writing sound redundant and less impactful. Let the phrase stand on its own to convey the strong disapproval.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unacceptably bold" functions as an adverb-adjective combination that modifies a noun or noun phrase, expressing a critical judgment about its degree of audacity or daring. It highlights that something exceeds the limits of what is considered appropriate or tolerable, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "unacceptably bold" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, albeit relatively rare in occurrence. Ludwig AI indicates that it functions as an adverb-adjective combination to express strong disapproval of something that is excessively daring. Its neutral to formal register makes it suitable for analytical and professional contexts, predominantly appearing in news and media sources. Alternatives include "excessively daring" and "overly audacious", depending on the nuance you intend to convey. Avoid redundancy by using the phrase without additional intensifiers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Excessively daring

Focuses on the extent of the daring nature.

Overly audacious

Emphasizes the boldness as being beyond what is appropriate.

Inappropriately bold

Highlights the inappropriateness of the boldness.

Unsuitably daring

Indicates the boldness is not suitable for the context.

Imprudently audacious

Suggests a lack of caution in being bold.

Recklessly bold

Emphasizes the lack of consideration for consequences.

Unjustifiably daring

Highlights the lack of justification for the boldness.

Unduly bold

Focuses on the excessiveness of the boldness.

Unacceptably risky

Shifts the focus from boldness to the level of risk involved.

Outrageously daring

Implies a shocking level of boldness.

FAQs

How can I use "unacceptably bold" in a sentence?

You can use "unacceptably bold" to describe actions, proposals or ideas that are considered too daring or audacious to be accepted. For example: "The proposal was deemed "unacceptably bold" and was rejected immediately".

What are some alternatives to "unacceptably bold"?

Some alternatives include "excessively daring", "overly audacious", or "inappropriately bold". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "unacceptably bold" a formal expression?

"Unacceptably bold" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's generally more suited for situations where you need to express a strong disapproval or disagreement.

What makes something "unacceptably bold" rather than just bold?

The addition of "unacceptably" implies that the boldness crosses a line. It suggests that the action or idea is not only daring but also inappropriate, unreasonable, or risky to an unacceptable degree.