vile pleasures

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vile pleasures" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe indulgences or activities that are morally objectionable or considered to be of low quality. Example: "The novel explores the theme of indulgence in vile pleasures, leading to the characters' ultimate downfall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Three years later the police in Linares in Spain reported that he'd turned up there having apparently been abducted by paedophiles, cops among them, and kept incommunicado for their vile pleasures.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Were I not so scornful of the scrawny cafe intellectuals with their swollen pipes and berets, I would have taken up the vile habit, just for the pleasure of the memory-fragrant smoke".

The New York Times - Books

At first, The idea of sex a further horror: To take pleasure in a collision Of bodies was vile, self-centered, too lush.

The New Yorker

Remember that vile ebook "The Pedophile's Guide to Love and Pleasure: A Child-Lover's Code of Conduct" that briefly topped Amazon's top 100 bestsellers lists, only to be pulled following massive customer and media pressure on the Internet retailer?

TechCrunch

There is great pleasure to be had from coming home on a wild night when the weather is vile, and pouring a glass of good red wine, and cooking dark food, such as mushroom risotto or braised beef and turnips served with dark green cabbage and truffle mash.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Comprehensively vile.

The Guardian - Sport

Universally vile.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Vile bullshit.

The Guardian - Books

How vile.

The New York Times

* Most vile.

The New York Times

Many people are vile.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "vile pleasures", ensure the context clearly establishes the moral or ethical objection to the described enjoyments. It often implies a strong sense of disgust or condemnation.

Common error

Avoid using "vile pleasures" to describe simple dislikes or preferences. The term carries a strong connotation of moral repugnance and should be reserved for situations where the described pleasures are genuinely considered offensive or harmful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vile pleasures" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where 'vile' modifies 'pleasures'. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. The adjective 'vile' ascribes a quality of moral repulsiveness to the noun 'pleasures'.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "vile pleasures" is a grammatically sound adjective-noun combination used to express strong disapproval or condemnation of specific enjoyments. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid and usable in written English. It typically appears in news and media contexts, carrying a relatively formal and neutral tone, although the adjective 'vile' itself introduces a strong emotional charge. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure that the context clearly establishes the moral objection to the described enjoyments. Alternatives such as "depraved delights" or "wicked indulgences" can be used to convey similar but slightly nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depraved delights

Replaces 'vile' with 'depraved' to emphasize moral corruption and 'pleasures' with 'delights' to soften the intensity.

wicked indulgences

Substitutes 'vile' with 'wicked' to highlight the moral transgression and 'pleasures' with 'indulgences' to suggest excess.

base gratifications

Replaces 'vile' with 'base' to convey a sense of low moral character, and 'pleasures' with 'gratifications' to imply immediate satisfaction.

ignoble pastimes

Uses 'ignoble' instead of 'vile' to focus on the lack of honor or worthiness in the activity, changing 'pleasures' to 'pastimes' for a more casual tone.

corrupting joys

Emphasizes the destructive impact of the pleasures by using 'corrupting' instead of 'vile', while keeping 'joys' to maintain a sense of happiness.

degrading amusements

Replaces 'vile' with 'degrading' to focus on the humiliation or loss of dignity, and 'pleasures' with 'amusements' for light entertainment.

obscene enjoyments

Uses 'obscene' instead of 'vile' to highlight the offensive or repulsive nature of the pleasures, changing 'enjoyments' to emphasize the act of taking pleasure.

repulsive indulgences

Replaces 'vile' with 'repulsive' to convey disgust or aversion, and 'indulgences' to suggest a self-serving excess.

tainted delights

Emphasizes the contamination or spoilage of the pleasures by using 'tainted' instead of 'vile', and keeping 'delights' to maintain a sense of joy.

perverse gratifications

Uses 'perverse' instead of 'vile' to highlight the deviance or abnormality of the pleasures, changing 'gratifications' to emphasize the act of being satisfied.

FAQs

How can I use "vile pleasures" in a sentence?

Use "vile pleasures" to describe enjoyments or activities considered morally reprehensible or deeply offensive. For example, "The novel explores the protagonist's descent into a world of "vile pleasures", leading to his ultimate downfall."

What are some alternatives to "vile pleasures"?

You can use alternatives such as "depraved delights", "wicked indulgences", or "base gratifications" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "vile pleasures"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the moral corruption or deep offensiveness associated with certain enjoyments. Be mindful of the strong negative connotation.

What is the difference between "vile pleasures" and "guilty pleasures"?

"Vile pleasures" suggests a strong moral condemnation and disgust, whereas "guilty pleasures" refers to enjoyments that one might feel slightly ashamed of but still indulges in, often due to societal norms or personal preferences. The former carries a much heavier negative weight.