I utterly despise formal writing!
Source: tatoeba (1470)
Utterly
Synonyms for "utterly" (146 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (30)
Adverb(6 words)
a outrancea toute outranceabsolutelyallall hollowall in allall outall the wayaltogetherbeyond all boundsbeyond comparebeyond comparisonbeyond measurecategoricallycleanclearclearlycompletely
Determiner(1 words)
Adjective(1 words)
Strong matches (43)
Noun(8 words)
deaddefinitelydownrightentirelyessentiallyexactlyextremelyfairlyflatflat outfullyfundamentallyheadhead over heelshookimmeasurablyin the extremeincalculablyindefinitelyinfinitely
Adverb(5 words)
Verb(1 words)
ignore data completely
Determiner(3 words)
most area codemost closed systemmost indus civilization
Related words (73)
Determiner(10 words)
most integermost lab reagentmost living organism specimenmost numbermost number sensemost proofmost recordmost seedling thinningmost state-government reformmost total
Noun(13 words)
Adverb(11 words)
out-and-outoutrightperfectlyplumbproperproperlypurelyquiteradicallyrootroundlyslapstarkstickthoroughlythroughto a fare-you-wellto the backboneto the fullto the limit
Show 12 more words
to the marrowto the skiesto the skyto the utmosttotallyunconditionallyunequivocallyunreservedlywellwholesomewhollywith a vengeance
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: absolutely, a outrance, a toute outrance, abjectly, absolutely.
- Sentence evidence is available for utterly, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, moby, derived_reverse, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "utterly".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "utterly"
Keep "utterly" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "utterly" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "utterly", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "utterly" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
2 entriesadverbdegree adverb
More specific
2 entriesCollocations
5 entriesutterly exhaustedutterly ridiculousutterly unbelievableutterly uselessutterly wrong
Inflections
2 entriesmore utterlymost utterly
Derivations
2 entriesSample sentences
14 total sentences available.
I was utterly soaked by the downpour.
Source: tatoeba (35866)
The report is utterly false.
Source: tatoeba (44041)
The shy boy was utterly embarrassed in her presence.
Source: tatoeba (44657)
Showing 4 of 14 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "utterly"?
Closest matches include absolutely, a outrance, a toute outrance, abjectly, absolutely.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "utterly"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.