an utter absurdity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an utter absurdity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is completely ridiculous or nonsensical. Example: "The idea that we could solve the problem overnight was an utter absurdity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

This is nostalgia on steroids, and an utter absurdity, defying more than 200 years of American history.

Los Angeles Times

Elif Günay has been campaigning for the release of her father, whose arrest even the most ardent supporters of the post-coup purges say is an utter absurdity.

Vice

An utter absurdity.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

And so it's a coming-together of all these pieces of the American past and specters of American history that are tattered and in peril, and this beautifully mournful Dylan song, which also has an element of utter absurdity in the lyrics.

The New York Times

Johnny, true to his honorable surname, is committed to defending the great traditions of his island nation: his prancing and pantsing are aimed at protecting his country's glorious heritage of indomitability, constitutional monarchy and utter absurdity, a legacy that stretches back to the days of King Arthur, or at least to Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

The New York Times

Yet an uninhibitedly aesthetic appreciation of a movie isn't necessarily immune to utter absurdity, as is the case with a review, by Isabelle Zribi, of Xavier Beauvois's film "Of Gods and Men," which opened in France earlier this month, will be at the New York Film Festival Saturday and Monday, and is also France's official entry for Best Foreign Language Film for the 2011 Academy Awards.

The New Yorker

And just imagine the utter absurdity of setting a suburban mom loose on the street, risking arrest and subsequent loss of her child as an "unfit parent," not to find "some weed" but to somehow track down a non-psychoactive high-CBD-concentrated cannabis extract that's pure and safe enough to give to a severely ill child.

Vice

And just imagine the utter absurdity of setting a suburban mum loose on the street, risking arrest and subsequent loss of her child as an "unfit parent", not to find "some weed" but to somehow track down a non-psychoactive high-CBD-concentrated cannabis extract that's pure and safe enough to give to a severely ill child.

Vice

Yes, you feel like sitting down right on the floor of the men's or women's clothing department and staging a sit in, a protest which will call attention to the utter absurdity of your predicament.

Huffington Post

Imagine the utter absurdity of having to practice sitting on a cactus, as Peter Gallagher was required to do in the downtown rehearsal room of "Noises Off," while rescue efforts were being carried out in the rubble a mile and a world away.

The New York Times

Anyone who has flirted or is flirting with the idea that socialism offers a reasonable remedy for the drawbacks of capitalism should mull the utter absurdity of Venezuela's current plight.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an utter absurdity" to express strong disagreement or disbelief in a clear and impactful way. It is most effective when used to counter an argument or idea that you find completely illogical or unreasonable.

Common error

While "an utter absurdity" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in highly formal or professional writing. Consider more nuanced or diplomatic language depending on your audience and purpose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an utter absurdity" functions as a strong declarative statement expressing disbelief or disagreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression effectively dismisses something as completely illogical or nonsensical. The examples show its use in news and opinion contexts to critique ideas or actions deemed unreasonable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

33%

Wiki

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an utter absurdity" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express strong disagreement and label something as completely ridiculous. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While suitable for news, opinion pieces, and discussions, it should be used cautiously in highly formal contexts. Its purpose is to discredit ideas deemed illogical. Common alternatives include "complete nonsense" and "total ridiculousness". While it's most prevalent in news and media, the phrase's judgmental tone might not be appropriate in highly formal or scientific contexts. The usage, while correct, is rare, suggesting it's best reserved for situations where a strong expression of disbelief is warranted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utter foolishness

Synonymous replacement of the word absurdity with foolishness

outright absurdity

Emphasizes the clear and obvious nature of the absurdity.

complete nonsense

Focuses on the lack of sense or logic in something.

total ridiculousness

Highlights the quality of being laughable or absurd.

pure foolishness

Emphasizes the lack of wisdom or good sense.

blatant foolishness

Focuses on the obvious and unashamed nature of the foolishness.

absolute lunacy

Suggests extreme irrationality or madness.

arrant nonsense

Uses 'arrant' to intensify the idea of nonsense.

downright idiocy

Emphasizes the extreme lack of intelligence or reason.

sheer preposterousness

Highlights the unbelievable or outrageous quality.

FAQs

What does "an utter absurdity" mean?

The phrase "an utter absurdity" describes something that is completely ridiculous, nonsensical, or lacking in reason. It's used to express strong disagreement or disbelief.

How can I use "an utter absurdity" in a sentence?

You can use "an utter absurdity" to express your strong disagreement with something: "The idea that we could solve the problem overnight is "an utter absurdity"".

What are some alternatives to "an utter absurdity"?

You can use alternatives like "complete nonsense", "total ridiculousness", or "pure foolishness" depending on the context.

Is "an utter absurdity" formal or informal?

The phrase "an utter absurdity" leans towards being slightly informal. While it can be used in news or opinion pieces, more formal contexts might benefit from alternatives that sound less judgmental.