worryingly good

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "worryingly good" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is surprisingly or impressively good, but causes concern or unease. Example: "The new competitor's product is worryingly good; it might threaten our market share."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

3.00pm: They're off! 3.09pm: Nervy start for England, and a worryingly good save required from David James when Ozil got a fifth-minute chance.

The Guardian - Sport

He is a computer scientist but he is also worryingly good at imagining what baddies could be getting up to, and also my editor, who always has great ideas too.

The Guardian

And after a worryingly good show by the opposition in the last election in 2005, after which about 200 civilian protesters were gunned down by the police, it is the strong hand that has been much in evidence in the run-up to these elections.

The Economist

"Something hidden deep in the song's DNA is engagingly bad, or worryingly good, and it's got everyone's quality alarms jangling like a wind-chime in a hurricane... [There is a moment of] appreciation for the bit where they sing "begging to get back together"... It's slow, moody, ponderous, a little bit boring at times, but when it gets to that bit, it's... the good bit".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Worryingly, as well as selling subsidiaries that have nothing to do with retailing, Seiyu has also got rid of part of Muji's owner, Ryohin Keikaku, and Family Mart, a convenience-store operator, both good businesses.

The Economist

These words that seem so definite are worryingly uncertain in The Good Soldier.

The Guardian - Books

Worryingly, the volume of exports in goods fell while imports increased," said David Kern, chief economist at the British Chambers of Commerce.

BBC

"But the fresh faces - totalling 11 after the deadline day capture of striker Nicklas Bendtner - have boosted what was a worryingly thin squad and should ultimately come good to ensure Sunderland maintain their top 10 status.

BBC

"Good" bacteria, that is (although separating all bacteria into either good or bad categories is probably worryingly oversimplifying things).

The Guardian

Paul Lambert's side worked hard, were well organised and were good value for their win but, worryingly for Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, his first attempt at rotating his newly-strengthened squad ended in a frustrating defeat.

BBC

However 97 are worryingly labelled "not marked as safe yet".

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "worryingly good" to express a sense of unease or concern alongside admiration for something's quality or effectiveness. For example, "His understanding of the market is worryingly good, considering he's only been working here a month."

Common error

Avoid using "worryingly good" simply as a synonym for "very good". The key is the element of concern or unease, not just strong praise. If there is no actual worry, consider a different adjective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "worryingly good" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing something that possesses a high degree of quality or effectiveness while simultaneously causing concern or unease. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

25%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "worryingly good" is a grammatically sound and subtly expressive term used to describe something impressively effective but also somewhat concerning. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, while analysis shows it's most often found in News & Media contexts. While not overly common, "worryingly good" effectively communicates a blend of admiration and apprehension. Alternatives such as "disturbingly impressive" or "unsettlingly excellent" can be used to convey similar sentiments, depending on the specific nuance desired. Remember to use this phrase when there's a genuine element of worry associated with the positive quality, not just as a substitute for "very good".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disturbingly impressive

Emphasizes the unsettling nature of the impressive quality.

unsettlingly excellent

Highlights the discomfort caused by the high level of excellence.

surprisingly proficient

Focuses on the unexpected nature of the proficiency.

alarmingly skilled

Underscores the potential danger or threat posed by the skill.

remarkably but concerningly effective

Highlights both the positive aspect of effectiveness and the negative aspect of concern.

unexpectedly adept

Stresses the unforeseen nature of the adeptness.

impressively ominous

Combines the positive impression with a sense of foreboding.

exceptionally worrisome

Highlights the exceptional quality that is causing worry.

peculiarly outstanding

Emphasizes the odd or unusual nature of the outstanding quality.

eerily competent

Stresses the strange or unsettling feeling associated with the competence.

FAQs

How can I use "worryingly good" in a sentence?

Use "worryingly good" to describe something that is surprisingly or impressively good, but also causes concern or unease. For example: "The competitor's new product is worryingly good; it might threaten our market share."

What's the difference between "worryingly good" and "surprisingly good"?

"Surprisingly good" simply means unexpectedly good. "Worryingly good" implies that the unexpected excellence is also causing some level of concern or apprehension. The "surprisingly good" outcome could be simpler and not complex.

What can I say instead of "worryingly good"?

You can use alternatives like "disturbingly impressive", "unsettlingly excellent", or "alarmingly skilled" depending on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "worryingly good" a common phrase?

While grammatically correct, "worryingly good" is not as common as simpler alternatives like "very good" or "surprisingly good". Its usage is appropriate when the positive quality also generates a sense of unease.