How do you use the word "utter" in a sentence?

Q: How do you use the word "utter" in a sentence?

Here are real-life examples of using "utter": So great was his emotion that he could not utter a word. Because of the street fighting, the city is in utter confusion.

Utter Meaning

/ˈʌtə/

Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

Definition

adjTo the furthest or most extreme extent; absolute, complete, total, unconditional.

adjOf a substance: pure, unmixed.

Sentence Examples

So great was his emotion that he could not utter a word.

Because of the street fighting, the city is in utter confusion.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms:

dead talk mouth

Antonyms:

incomplete

CEFR Practice Quiz

The witness refused to ____ a single word about what she saw.

CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)

The news of the sudden discovery left him in a state of ____ disbelief, as he could not believe the results today.

Word Origin & History

PIE word *úd The adjective is derived from Middle English outre, utter, uttre (“situated on the outside of, exterior”), from Old English ūtera (“exterior, outer”, literally “more out”), the comparative form of ūt (“out”). Piecewise doublet of outer. The noun is derived from the adjective.

Literary Quotations & Historical Citations

"Oh VVarvvicke, VVarvvicke, I foreſee vvith greefe / The vtter loſſe of all the Realme of France." — 1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Sixt”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene iv], page 117, column 2:

"But thou art altogether giuen ouer: and vvert indeede but for the light in thy face, the ſonne of vtter darkneſſe." — c. 1597 (date written), [William Shakespeare], The History of Henrie the Fourth; […], quarto edition, London: […] P[eter] S[hort] for Andrew Wise, […], published 1598, →OCLC, [Act III, scene iii], signature G2, verso:

"[T]here are Phlegeton and Pyriphlegeton, that fall in vvith Cocytus (burning Riuers) In vvhich (tho they be dreadfull to looke vpon) are no vtter danger: If the Ferryman vvaft you ſafely, ouer the vvaters of Repentance, othervviſe theſe hot liquors vvill ſcalde you." — 1606, Tho[mas] Dekker, “The Deuill Let Loose, with His Answere to Pierce Pennylesse”, in Newes from Hell; […], London: […] R. B[lower, S. Stafford, and Valentine Simmes] for W. Ferebrand, […], →OCLC, signature [G4], recto:

"And ſhould Gods eare, / VVhich needs not man, be ty'd to thoſe / VVho heare not him, but quickly heare / His utter foes?" — [1633], George Herbert, “The Method”, in [Nicholas Ferrar], editor, The Temple. Sacred Poems, and Private Ejaculations, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: […] Thomas Buck and Roger Daniel; and are to be sold by Francis Green, […], →OCLC, page 127:

"That vvhich I vvould novv infer from hence is, the utter impoſſibility of the Greeks giving us any certain account of ancient times, […]" — 1662, Edward Stillingfleet, “The Obscurity and Defect of Ancient History”, in Origines Sacræ, or A Rational Account of the Grounds of Christian Faith, […], London: […] R[obert] W[hite] for Henry Mortlock […], →OCLC, book I, page 21:

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