utter 1 of 2

adjective

ˈə-tər How to pronounce utter (audio)
Definition of utternext
1
as in sheer
having no exceptions or restrictions our attempt to reform the school system was an utter failure

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in utmost
of the highest degree spoke with utter certainty

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

utter

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to whisper
to send forth using the vocal cords she tried not to utter a sound as the doctor gave her a flu shot

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to say
to express (a thought or emotion) in words never uttered a single comment at the meeting

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word utter distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of utter are air, broach, express, vent, and voice. While all these words mean "to make known what one thinks or feels," utter implies the use of the voice not necessarily in articulate speech.

utter a groan

When is air a more appropriate choice than utter?

In some situations, the words air and utter are roughly equivalent. However, air implies an exposing or parading of one's views often in order to gain relief or sympathy or attention.

publicly airing their differences

In what contexts can broach take the place of utter?

The synonyms broach and utter are sometimes interchangeable, but broach adds the implication of disclosing for the first time something long thought over or reserved for a suitable occasion.

broached the subject of a divorce

Where would express be a reasonable alternative to utter?

The words express and utter are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, express suggests an impulse to reveal in words, gestures, actions, or what one creates or produces.

expressed her feelings in music

When might vent be a better fit than utter?

While in some cases nearly identical to utter, vent stresses a strong inner compulsion to express especially in words.

a tirade venting his frustration

When would voice be a good substitute for utter?

The meanings of voice and utter largely overlap; however, voice does not necessarily imply vocal utterance but does imply expression or formulation in words.

an editorial voicing their concerns

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of utter
Adjective
Words cannot even begin to adequately express the utter gruesomeness of this crime. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026 Director/screenwriter Louis Paxton’s Sundance award-winner is an utter delight. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 2 Sep. 2026
Verb
It was not uttered in the context of the WBD acronym, the brand’s many cable channels, or their companion streaming service. — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026 The title of this episode is Chief Boden’s description of what’s ahead, uttered as the 51 crew prepares to head inside to battle a blaze on the 20th floor of a skyscraper. — Will Harris, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for utter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for utter
  1. sheer
  2. utmost
  3. whisper
  4. say
  5. absolute
  6. emit
  7. speak
  8. complete
Adjective
  • Meaning while its performance numbers may not draw in huge crowds, its sheer exclusivity might just do the trick.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The light turquoise gown was crafted from sheer fabric with floral embroidery throughout the design.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of sheer
Adjective
  • The safety of those who work and live in prison is of utmost importance.
    — Scott Peyton, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Korean hair care places utmost emphasis on scalp care, and the Scalp Revitalizing Solution Thickening Shampoo & Conditioner are prime examples.
    — Sarah Han, Allure, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of utmost
Verb
  • Then Mum whispered a few words to her, lay down next to her and said the Rosary with her.
    — Kerry Kennedy, Vanity Fair, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Callum whispered his choices and Maya repeated them loudly to the server.
    — Deepa Fernandes, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of whisper
Verb
  • After the premiere the other day, [Jones] says, ‘Thanks for paying attention to the character Waylon, because most people wouldn’t.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The company said its team can currently build a robot in about a day, with a target of reducing the process to roughly an hour next year.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of say
Adjective
  • Why were the conspiracy theorists about Courtney Love so inclined to believe the absolute worst about her?
    — Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Wilson was an absolute fantasy monster with Harrison off the field last season, so his main concern becomes the inevitable QB switch to rookie Carson Beck.
    — Dalton Del Don, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of absolute
Verb
  • Copper atoms help verify the record intensity To check the intensity independently, the team directed the X-ray pulses onto a copper foil and examined the light emitted by its atoms.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
  • On the coast, the air stays warmer and thinner as the ocean emits the heat it’s stored through the summer.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of emit
Verb
  • But Netanyahu’s government wanted the existing framework kept intact, according to multiple sources who spoke to TIME, including an Israeli official and an international diplomat.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The official spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the investigation.
    — HAVEN DALEY, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of speak
Adjective
  • Great part was my wife was in complete symphony on it instantly, and that actually was a wonderful bonding moment.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • With just more than a third of the season complete, the Rams are 2-4.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of complete

Browse Nearby Words

utopias
utter
utterance
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Utter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/utter. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All