be utterly destroyed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be utterly destroyed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something is completely ruined or annihilated, often in a dramatic or emphatic manner. Example: "If we do not take action now, our environment will be utterly destroyed by pollution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

They must and will be utterly destroyed!

The New Yorker

This sacred place, frozen in time, is going to be utterly destroyed.

The New Yorker

As soon as men will find that in one instant, whole armies can be utterly destroyed, they surely will abide by golden peace".

Harvard University

Sure, it might strike vulnerable targets in South Korea, Japan or the Pacific region – but it would do so knowing it could be utterly destroyed in return.

The Washington Post

People on Coll have incredibly personal relationships with ruins on the island, so we didn't want to create the sense that it would be utterly destroyed forever, with a silly pastiche in its place".

The New York Times

If they fail, it will be utterly destroyed.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Each of the millions of Iraqis who were forced to flee their homes and their country by the war don't even get a full word; there's just a letter, or a scrap of punctuation, for a human being whose life has been utterly destroyed.

Vice

Bamiyan was utterly destroyed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Tacloban city itself is utterly destroyed.

Independent

Syria and Yemen have been utterly destroyed.

The Guardian

But the town, says Frichitthavong, has been utterly destroyed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context. This phrase is often used in serious or dramatic situations, so ensure it aligns with the tone of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "be utterly destroyed" in situations where the destruction is minor or figurative. Overusing it can diminish its impact and sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be utterly destroyed" functions as a passive construction, indicating a state of complete ruin or annihilation affecting the subject. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be utterly destroyed" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to describe a state of complete and irreversible ruin. Ludwig AI analysis shows it's most commonly found in News & Media and academic contexts to emphasize significant devastation. While alternatives like "be completely annihilated" or "be totally devastated" exist, "be utterly destroyed" is particularly useful for conveying a sense of finality. It's important to avoid overuse in minor situations to maintain its dramatic impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be completely annihilated

Emphasizes total destruction, using 'annihilated' to highlight the obliteration aspect.

be completely obliterated

Emphasizes total and utter erasure, suggesting nothing remains.

be totally devastated

Focuses on the emotional and physical ruin, suggesting widespread destruction and desolation.

be reduced to rubble

Paints a picture of physical destruction, implying that something has been broken down into fragments.

be wiped off the map

Suggests complete removal and obliteration, as if something no longer exists.

be razed to the ground

Focuses on the act of leveling something completely, often by fire or demolition.

suffer complete ruin

Highlights the experience of total devastation, focusing on the negative consequences.

be totally wrecked

Implies severe damage and ruin, often used in a more informal context.

meet its demise

A more formal and euphemistic way of saying something will be destroyed or cease to exist.

be decimated

Suggests a severe reduction or destruction, though not necessarily complete annihilation.

FAQs

How can I use "be utterly destroyed" in a sentence?

This phrase is used to describe something that is completely ruined or annihilated. For example, "If war comes, make no mistake: The North Korean regime will "be utterly destroyed"."

What are some alternatives to "be utterly destroyed"?

You can use alternatives like "be completely annihilated", "be totally devastated", or "be reduced to rubble" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "be utterly destroyed" too dramatic for professional writing?

While generally suitable for news and media, its dramatic tone might be excessive for most professional contexts. Consider less emphatic alternatives such as "be severely damaged" or "be ruined".

What's the difference between "be utterly destroyed" and "be severely damaged"?

"Be utterly destroyed" implies complete destruction beyond repair, whereas "be severely damaged" suggests significant harm but not necessarily total annihilation.