defeated utterly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "defeated utterly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the totality of a defeat, often in a dramatic or literary context. Example: "The team was defeated utterly in the championship game, leaving them with no chance of redemption."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In Hazony's view, "the state need not be defeated militarily to be defeated utterly.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Which is why Syriza must not only be defeated, but utterly crushed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Her armies must be defeated as utterly as those of Germany.

Los Angeles Times

Diving in, deepening through the periphery of shame, what I very quickly discovered was quite simply my broken human heart; broken by disappointment, failure and defeat; utterly broken on behalf of the immense pain in our world.

Huffington Post

"Once again we must affirm that in the face of this terrorism, there must be no holding back, no compromise, no hesitation in confronting this menace, in attacking it, wherever and whenever we can, and in defeating it utterly," an angered Mr. Blair said in the opening moments of a joint news conference with Mr. Bush.

The New York Times

This is quite the masterstroke on the parts of its writers, who have effectively managed to turn the most blameless and ordinary of the main characters into someone everyone dislikes and mistrusts, but when she finally finds out her husband is dead, her slide from elation at his success to utterly defeated sobs would in any other show be the climax.

Independent

They looked utterly defeated.

The New York Times - Travel

The Scots were eventually scattered and utterly defeated.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Utterly defeated, I filled out the paperwork to drop out.

The New York Times

What now awaits the utterly defeated Congress party?

The Economist

Her limbs are withered and her eyes utterly defeated.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "defeated utterly" to add emphasis and finality when describing a situation where someone or something has been completely overcome. It's most effective in formal or dramatic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "defeated utterly" in casual conversation or informal writing, as its intensity can sound unnatural or overly dramatic. Opt for simpler alternatives like "completely defeated" or "totally beat" in everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "defeated utterly" functions as an adverbial modifier intensifying the verb "defeated". It emphasizes the completeness and totality of the defeat. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "defeated utterly" is a grammatically correct way to express a complete and thorough defeat. According to Ludwig AI, it's usable in written English and serves to emphasize the totality of a loss. While not extremely common, it appears in news articles and encyclopedic entries, fitting a relatively formal or dramatic tone. When writing, consider whether the intensity of "defeated utterly" matches your intended message, as simpler alternatives may be more suitable for casual contexts. Consider more common alternatives such as "completely vanquished" or "totally crushed".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely vanquished

Emphasizes the thoroughness of the defeat, highlighting that the opposition has been overcome and subdued.

totally crushed

Suggests a forceful and overwhelming defeat, indicating that the opposition has been decisively overcome.

soundly defeated

Highlights the decisiveness of the defeat, implying that the opposition had little chance of success.

utterly routed

Indicates a chaotic and disorganized defeat, suggesting that the opposition has been scattered and overcome.

resoundingly beaten

Emphasizes the clear and unmistakable nature of the defeat, indicating that the opposition has been thoroughly overcome.

decisively overcome

Focuses on the decisive nature of the victory, indicating that the opposition has been convincingly defeated.

comprehensively defeated

Suggests a wide-ranging and complete defeat, indicating that the opposition has been overcome in all aspects.

thoroughly trounced

Implies a humiliating and one-sided defeat, suggesting that the opposition has been easily overcome.

absolutely demolished

Highlights the destructive nature of the defeat, indicating that the opposition has been completely destroyed.

completely overwhelmed

Focuses on the sense of being overpowered, suggesting that the opposition was unable to withstand the force of the defeat.

FAQs

How can I use "defeated utterly" in a sentence?

You can use "defeated utterly" to emphasize the completeness of a defeat, as in "The invading army was "defeated utterly", ending their campaign".

What are some alternatives to saying "defeated utterly"?

Alternatives include "completely vanquished", "totally crushed", or "soundly defeated". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more correct to say "utterly defeated" or "defeated utterly"?

Both "utterly defeated" and "defeated utterly" are grammatically correct, but "utterly defeated" is the more common and natural-sounding order. "Defeated utterly" adds more emphasis.

In what kind of writing should I use "defeated utterly"?

"Defeated utterly" is best suited for formal writing, historical accounts, or dramatic narratives where emphasizing the totality of the defeat is desired. Simpler phrases are preferred for informal contexts.