destroy utterly

USAGE SUMMARY

"destroy utterly" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts where you want to emphasize complete and total destruction. An example is: "The storm threatened to destroy utterly the small village." Alternative expressions include "completely destroy" and "totally annihilate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Nuclear weapons had the potential to destroy utterly.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Fire destroys utterly, fire erases.

The New Yorker

That world does things in order: things have their seeds, and nothing is ever destroyed utterly.

The Guardian - Opinion

Those famous lines – "Never such innocence,/ Never before or since,/ As changed itself to past/ Without a word" – conjure the year as a fatal break, the moment when a way of life was destroyed utterly and forever.

The Guardian - Books

India's military leadership has said that if attacked with nuclear bombs it would respond with maximum force and that in such a conflict India would sustain heavy damage but survive, whereas Pakistan would be destroyed utterly.

The New York Times

We only have re-take students at our college, so basically 100 students with a D working their socks off to get up to a C. It's nice to know that a year of hard work, for students and colleagues, can be destroyed utterly by Michael sodding Guff (official name) with one fell swoop.

The Guardian

And I was destroyed utterly.

Huffington Post

And yet, the central notion that governs the so-called "War On Christmas" is that this seemingly unshakeable firmament of religious privilege can be destroyed utterly the moment a single clerk working the Target checkout line utters the words "Happy Holidays," instead of "Merry Christmas".

Huffington Post

If you whip him now, you destroy him utterly.'" McClellan did not listen and Lee retreated that night, largely unmolested by Union forces.

The New York Times

The goal here is not to destroy words utterly.

WikiHow

The characters in Murdoch's novels, she feels, are nothing more than animated arguments, and this flaw destroys them utterly: "None is a person one could conceivably imagine meeting, loving, hating, or having a conversations with.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "destroy utterly" when you want to emphasize the completeness and finality of the destruction. It conveys a sense of total annihilation, leaving no trace of what was destroyed.

Common error

Avoid using "destroy utterly" in everyday conversation. Its intensity can sound overly dramatic or inappropriate in less serious situations. Opt for less emphatic phrases like "completely destroy" or "ruin" when the situation doesn't warrant such strong language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "destroy utterly" functions as a verb phrase modified by an adverb. It indicates a complete and irreversible act of destruction. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct, though relatively rare.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "destroy utterly" is a grammatically sound construction used to emphasize the completeness of destruction. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, though notes its relative infrequency. While versatile enough for neutral or formal registers, remember that its forcefulness can be excessive in casual settings. To soften the expression without forfeiting the thought, use other phrases such as "completely annihilate" or "totally obliterate". The best practice is to wield it when finality and totality is mandatory.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely annihilate

This phrase emphasizes complete destruction with a slightly more formal tone.

totally obliterate

Similar to "completely annihilate", this phrase highlights the thorough removal or eradication of something.

utterly demolish

Focuses on the physical destruction or collapse of something.

wipe out entirely

This alternative emphasizes the complete removal of something.

completely ruin

Implies irreparable damage and loss of value or functionality.

irrevocably devastate

Highlights the lasting and damaging impact of the destruction.

eradicate completely

This option is best used to focus on removal or termination of something.

decimate thoroughly

This alternative emphasizes the extent of the destruction.

reduce to rubble

Focuses on the outcome of the destruction, with something collapsing into fragment pieces.

raze to the ground

Suggests the complete leveling of a structure or area.

FAQs

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

You can use "destroy utterly" to emphasize the completeness of destruction. For example: "The nuclear weapon had the potential to "destroy utterly"." It's best used when you want to highlight the finality and totality of the destruction.

What's a more common alternative to "destroy utterly"?

While "destroy utterly" is grammatically correct, it's not the most common phrase. Consider using "completely destroy" or "totally obliterate" for similar emphasis with potentially wider acceptance.

Is "destroy utterly" too dramatic for everyday writing?

Yes, the phrase "destroy utterly" can be quite dramatic. It's more suitable for contexts where you want to emphasize extreme or irreversible destruction. In everyday writing, consider milder alternatives like "completely destroy" or "ruin".

When is it appropriate to use "destroy utterly" instead of "destroy completely"?

Use "destroy utterly" when you want to add a layer of intensity and finality to the destruction. While "destroy completely" conveys the same basic meaning, "destroy utterly" emphasizes the thoroughness and irreversibility of the act. It works well in contexts involving high stakes or significant consequences.