Term: utter
utter (adjective/verb):
- As an adjective: complete, absolute, or total (used for emphasis, often with negative nouns).
- As a verb: to make a sound with one’s voice; to say something aloud.
synonyms: (adj) total, sheer, downright; (v) speak, voice, pronounce.
pronunciation: /ˈʌtə/
translation: adj: pilnīgs, galīgs; v: izrunāt, paust
Examples
- Adjective: “The whole meeting was an utter waste of time; we didn’t decide anything.”
- Verb: “She sat there in shock, unable to utter a single word.”
Other words from this root
- Utterly (adverb): completely (e.g., “I am utterly exhausted”).
- Utterance (noun): something that is said; the act of speaking.
Common Collocations
| Type | Common Phrases |
| Adjective | utter nonsense, utter chaos, utter failure, utter darkness. |
| Verb | utter a cry, utter a threat, utter a word. |
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
utter (adjective)carried to the utmost point or highest degree - absolute total utter darkness utter strangers
transitive verb
1.
obsolete to offer for sale
2.
a) to send forth as a sound - utter a sigh
b) to give to - utterance pronounce speak refused to utter his name
c) to give public expression to express in words - utter an opinion
3.
to put (as currency) into circulation , specifically to circulate (as a counterfeit note) as if legal or genuine - utter false tokens
4.
intransitive verb
to put forth or out - discharge to make a statement or sound express
Merriam-Webster Online Thesaurus
utter (adjective)1.
having no exceptions or restrictions
SYNONYMS:
all-out, arrant, blank, blooming, bodacious, categorical ( 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, utter, veryRELATED 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, uncertain2.
of the highest degree
SYNONYMS:
greatest, maximum, top, topmost, utmost, utterRELATED WORDS:
heightened, highNEAR ANTONYMS:
lessened, low1.
to send forth using the vocal chords
SYNONYMS:
emitRELATED WORDS:
deliver; blurt (out), ejaculate, exclaim; gasp, groan, heave, hoot, moan, pant, quaver, snarl, sob, sputter, squawk, squeak, squeal, stammer, stutter, whimper, yowl; lip, mouth, whisper2.
to express (a thought or emotion) in words
SYNONYMS:
articulate, bring out, enunciate, pass, speak, state, talk, tell, utter, verbalize, vocalizeRELATED WORDS:
air, discuss, give, look, share, sound, vent, ventilate, voice; blabber, bolt, blurt, get off, shoot; advertise, announce, blaze, broadcast, declare, post, proclaim, promulgate, publicize, publish; affirm, allege, assert, aver, avouch, avow; breathe, chirp, drawl, gasp, lip, mouth, murmur, purr, shout, splutter, spout, whisper; clothe, couch, formulate, formulize, phrase, put, word; comment, pipe up (with), remark; rip (out), snarlNEAR ANTONYMS:
stifle, suppress