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

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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

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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

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
The trial lasted several months, with the prosecution maintaining this charge despite the utter absurdity of the accusation and the evidence. —Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026 The veteran punk band's set was utter chaos. —Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
Verb
One friend uttered an expletive after taking a bite of the super-tasty, uber-tender steak, and soon after, the meat disappeared. —Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 19 Mar. 2026 The footage, which has been verified by outlets including the BBC, shows the missile landing and Sweeney hitting the deck in a shower of shrapnel before uttering expletives. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 19 Mar. 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
  • On the Base — the area above the sheer cliffs that encircle Tristan and below Queen Mary’s Peak — a group herds sheep down from the mountain.
    — NPR, NPR, 4 Apr. 2026
  • What’s harder to recreate — especially with today’s labor and materials costs — is the level of craftsmanship and the sheer weight of the build, Sadek said.
    — David Caraccio April 4, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of sheer
Adjective
  • Award-winning writer Jeff Pope will treat this with the utmost care, helping to ensure that the issues that led to Sarah Everard’s murder remain in the public consciousness for years to come, whilst continuing to hold the police to account.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Bruce will forever be remembered with the utmost regard by our organization for what was accomplished here.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2026
Definition of utmost
Verb
  • Industry associates whispered to Vanity Fair in 1996 about Mottola adopting shady mobster tactics in his running of Sony, demanding loyalty and allegedly keeping a gun in his briefcase.
    — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2026
  • After Tomislav whispered in his ear, reporter Lauren Shehadi asked what his teammate said.
    — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of whisper
Verb
  • The other says that the sky is black, then blue, and always empty.
    — Sandra Lim, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
  • In a social media post on Monday morning, Kuwait said a service building at a power generation and water desalination plant were damaged in an attack Sunday evening, killing one worker.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of say
Adjective
  • These are the absolute best bonds.
    — Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
  • But this team’s elite farm system — perhaps the absolute top in the NHL — will provide exactly that in the years to come.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of absolute
Verb
  • The air guns used to emit those sound waves are responsible for near-constant underwater noise in the Gulf.
    — Chiara Eisner, NPR, 30 Mar. 2026
  • That means delaying the overall transition to clean and renewable energy at a time when the United Nations Environment Programme warns that high-emitting countries are unlikely to meet their own targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
    — Tammy Webber, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
Definition of emit
Verb
  • The duo had already spoken on the phone three times before Nehls' morning interview with USA TODAY.
    — Jay Stahl, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Most people who spoke to the Herald say they were blindsided by the news.
    — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of speak
Adjective
  • Perhaps no other museum cafe in the city is more beloved than the Neue Galerie's Café Sabarsky, a Viennese cafe that seems to transport guests to Austria, circa 1910, complete with lighting fixtures by Josef Hoffmann, furniture by Adolf Loos, and banquettes upholstered with Otto Wagner fabric.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026
  • His metamorphosis into social scientist-cum-sage appears to be complete.
    — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of complete

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Cite this Entry

“Utter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/utter. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of utter for Spanish Speakers

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