Definition

Adjective: 1. Extremely strong, concentrated, or durable: Used to describe something that is of a very high potency, intensity, or resilience, often comparable to the grade or strength of materials or chemicals used in industrial applications. - The term often implies a level of power or effectiveness far beyond what is typical for ordinary or domestic use.

Usage

• The adjective industrial-strength is used attributively, meaning it is placed directly before a noun to modify it.
• It is often used in a hyperbolic or humorous way to emphasize the extreme nature of something, even if it is not literally for industrial use.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • We need an industrial-strength cleaner to remove these grease stains from the garage floor.
  • After the long hike, he brewed a cup of industrial-strength coffee to stay awake.
  • Her argument was backed by industrial-strength evidence that was impossible to refute.

Advanced Usage

• Metaphorical Use: Commonly used figuratively to describe non-physical things like arguments, emotions, or software.
  • The company's new firewall provides industrial-strength security against cyberattacks.
  • He was suffering from an industrial-strength headache after the loud concert.

Variants and Related Words

• Industrial-grade (adj): A near-synonym, specifically denoting a quality suitable for industrial use.
  • They purchased industrial-grade gloves for the workshop.
• Heavy-duty (adj): Similar in meaning, suggesting the ability to withstand strain or hard use.
  • These heavy-duty trash bags won't tear easily.

Synonyms

• Potent
• High-powered
• High-grade
• Robust
• Super-strength

Antonyms

• Mild
• Weak
• Diluted
• Light-duty
• Domestic-strength

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Weapons-grade: An idiom with a similar structure, meaning of a purity or power suitable for making weapons, often used hyperbolically (e.g., "weapons-grade sarcasm").
  • The chili at the competition was weapons-grade; only a few brave souls tried it.

Adjective

1. extremely strong or concentrated or durable
   • industrial-strength detergent
   • weapons-grade salsa