uncontrollable hunger

USAGE SUMMARY

"uncontrollable hunger" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a strong, overwhelming desire to eat that one cannot manage or suppress. Example: After skipping breakfast, I felt an uncontrollable hunger by lunchtime. Alternative expressions include "insatiable appetite" and "overwhelming hunger."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

And for lovers of dime-store romance, "Camelot" has it all -- a beautiful English princess swept off her feet by a shy, but passionate bachelor king; an ardent French knight, torn between devotion to his liege and an uncontrollable hunger, reciprocated, to be sure, for the king's tempestuous wife.

The New York Times

In fact, his false father has gambled on Anderton's uncontrollable hunger for vengeance, placing what looks like a sure bet: that the hero, confronted with his child's killer, will repay one murder with another -- or with many, like his Hollywood brethren.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mr. Ozawa said he had an "uncontrollable obsessive hunger" when it comes to knowing more about "Lost," so much so that he watched part of the filming of the final episode.

The New York Times - Tech

Bodyweight management of children with PWS has proven to be extraordinarily difficult as they have a low muscle tone that tends to result in less physical activity than normal, a chronic and uncontrollable feeling of hunger, and a deficit of satiety that drives their constant food-craving behavior.

EBioMedicine

When he is trailed by a private investigator (Steve Kiziak, Robb kills him and eats in order to placate his hunger, which begins to get more and more uncontrollable.

Wikipedia

For example, arguing it as emblematic of the putative carnality of Jewish women as delineated in Christian texts, Sara Lipton cites the harrowing story out of Boccaccio (originally from Josephus) of a woman, who in her hunger during Titus's siege of Jerusalem was "motivated by bodily weakness and uncontrollable impulse" to kill, roast, and eat her own son who had been sucking at her breast.

Johns Hopkins University

Uncontrollable laughter.

The Guardian - Books

It's uncontrollable".

The New Yorker

"The desert is uncontrollable.

The New York Times

"The Internet is uncontrollable.

The New York Times

Eccentric, passionate, uncontrollable, inspirational.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ the phrase metaphorically to describe non-physical drives, like a "uncontrollable hunger for vengeance" or success, to add visceral weight to your writing

Common error

Avoid using "uncontrollable hunger" for everyday situations like being late for lunch. Reserve this phrase for instances where the hunger truly cannot be managed or suppressed by normal means to maintain the word's impact

Linguistic Context

As highlighted by Ludwig, "uncontrollable hunger" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "uncontrollable" modifies the noun "hunger". It serves as the direct object or the subject of a sentence to denote a state of extreme biological or psychological deficiency that overrides the subject's willpower.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "uncontrollable hunger" is a versatile and potent phrase validated by Ludwig AI as highly correct and widely used across diverse fields. From describing the tragic reality of medical conditions like PWS in scientific journals to illustrating the "uncontrollable hunger for vengeance" in literary film reviews, the phrase effectively communicates a state of being overwhelmed by internal needs. It is most frequently found in high-authority news sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, making it a reliable choice for writers seeking to evoke a sense of deep, irresistible compulsion. When using it, remember to distinguish between literal famishment and figurative ambition to ensure maximum semantic clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insatiable appetite

Shifts the focus from the sensation of hunger to the broader capacity or desire for consumption

overwhelming hunger

Emphasizes the intensity and the power of the sensation over the individual

voracious appetite

Suggests a more aggressive or eager quality to the hunger

ravenous desire

More commonly used in figurative or romantic contexts to describe passion

compulsive hunger

Implies a psychological or behavioral necessity rather than just a physical one

unquenchable craving

Suggests a specific desire that can never be fully satisfied

primal hunger

Highlights the deep-seated, evolutionary, and instinctive nature of the need

persistent hunger

Focuses on the duration and the refusal of the sensation to subside

irresistible urge to eat

More descriptive and clinical, focusing on the lack of willpower against the sensation

chronic hunger

Often used in socioeconomic contexts to describe long-term food insecurity

FAQs

How to use "uncontrollable hunger" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an intense physical state, such as: "Patients with certain genetic conditions often face an "uncontrollable hunger" that leads to obesity."

What can I say instead of "uncontrollable hunger"?

Depending on the context, you might use "insatiable appetite", "overwhelming hunger", or "voracious hunger".

Is "uncontrollable hunger" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, it is perfectly appropriate. In scientific literature, it is used to describe clinical conditions, while in journalism, it serves as a powerful descriptor for intense figurative desires.

What is the difference between "uncontrollable hunger" and "insatiable appetite"?

""uncontrollable hunger"" emphasizes the feeling of need, whereas "insatiable appetite" focuses on the inability to feel full or satisfied after eating.