Definition of utter
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Examples of utter in a Sentence
It's hard to believe that we were utter strangers just a few days ago.
The situation descended into utter chaos.
The children displayed an utter lack of interest in the performance.
The movie was utter garbage.
That argument is utter nonsense.
Recent Examples of utter from the Web
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And while the Colts are doing that, the questions will keep coming through every minute of what is going to be an offseason of utter ambiguity.
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The Kurds’ affection for the United States soared, along with their utter dependence on Washington for their protection.
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Here's to another five years and more of Harris' utter brilliance, from dance floor to the radio and beyond.
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And her appeal is only enhanced by her complete and utter refusal to suffer fools gladly.
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Previous ranking: 1 This week: Beat Vanderbilt, 59–0 Next week: vs. Ole Miss Alabama’s complete and utter destruction of Vanderbilt laid any doubts about who the nation’s best team is to rest.
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Andrew's hurricane force winds were only about 30 miles wide and so was its swath of utter destruction.
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Her followers responded with utter shock, because this is what the Internet does.
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In his memoirs, German general F.W. Mellenthin wrote: A feature of the Russian soldier is his utter contempt for life or death, so incomprehensible to a Westerner.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'utter.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of utter
Middle English, remote, from Old English ūtera outer, comparative adjective from ūt out, adverb — more at out
utter Synonyms
Synonyms
all-out, arrant, blank, blooming [chiefly British], bodacious [Southern & Midland], categorical (also categoric), clean, complete, consummate, cotton-picking, crashing, damn, damned, dead, deadly, definite, downright, dreadful, fair, flat, flat-out, out-and-out, outright, perfect, plumb, profound, pure, rank, regular, sheer, simple, stark, stone, straight-out, thorough, thoroughgoing, total, unadulterated, unalloyed, unconditional, unmitigated, unqualified, absolute, veryAntonyms
least, littlest, lowest, minimal, minimum, slightestRelated Words
authentic, classic, genuine, real, veritable; constant, endless, eternal, perpetual, undying, unremitting; extreme, unrestricted; confirmed, habitual, hopeless, inveterate; extraordinary, frightful, horrible, huge, main, superlative, supreme, surpassing, terrible, terrificNear Antonyms
doubtful, dubious, equivocal, qualified, questionable, restricted, uncertainDefinition of utter
transitive verb
1
obsolete
: to offer for sale
2 a
: to send forth as a sound
- utter a sigh
c
: to give public expression to : express in words
- utter an opinion
3
: to put (notes, currency, etc.) into circulation;
specifically
: to circulate (something, such as a forged or counterfeit note) as if legal or genuine
- utter false tokens
4
: to put forth or out : discharge
intransitive verb
: to make a statement or sound
Examples of utter in a Sentence
She uttered a cry of pleasure.
He can hardly utter a sentence without swearing.
Recent Examples of utter from the Web
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Lions fans had barely had time to utter a sigh or relief over the Packers' failure to convert their two-point try when Green Bay recovered an onside kick.
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An Open Playing Field Matt Lauer became a major media presence with a single interview, one that would be remembered for a phrase not even uttered by him.
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To sustain the compulsory flag salute we are required to say that a Bill of Rights which guards the individual’s right to speak his own mind, left it open to public authorities to compel him to utter what is not in his mind.
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First, there’s the strange location, a stretch on Broadway between West 43rd and West 44th Street in Manhattan, a setting where the locals are as likely to utter Securities and Exchange Commission when asked about the power of the SEC.
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That punishment, popular with some parents a half-century or more ago, was often levied after a child uttered a swear word close enough for Mom or Dad to hear.
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The term vampire is never uttered in Near Dark; there are no crosses, coffins, or vials of holy water to be seen.
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The child ignored the man, but heard him utter the same question to other nearby children.
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Eyes can be opened to the meaning of the three lilies in Northern Renaissance painting (the trinity), just as ears opened in the Haydn when Levin preceded each movement with its corresponding last phrase uttered by Christ on the cross.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'utter.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of utter
Middle English uttren, from utter outside, adverb, from Old English ūtor, comparative of ūt out
Synonym Discussion of utter
express, vent, utter, voice, broach, air mean to make known what one thinks or feels. express suggests an impulse to reveal in words, gestures, actions, or what one creates or produces.
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- expressed her feelings in music
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- a tirade venting his frustration
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- utter a groan
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- an editorial voicing their concerns
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- broached the subject of a divorce
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- publicly airing their differences
UTTER Defined for English Language Learners
utter
verb
Definition of utter for English Language Learners
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: to make (a particular sound)
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: to say (something)
UTTER Defined for Kids
Definition of utter for Students
: in every way : total
- utter nonsense
- utter strangers
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utterly
adverb- It was a world and life … utterly unknown to me.
- —Avi, Crispin
Law Dictionary
utter
transitive verb
ut·ter
legal Definition of utter
: to put (as a counterfeit note) into circulation as if genuine
- convicted of uttering a forged check
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utterer
nounLearn More about utter
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See words that rhyme with utter Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for utter Spanish Central: Translation of utter Nglish: Translation of utter for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of utter for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
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