utmost

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "utmost" is correct and usable in written English.
It means to the highest degree and can be used in many contexts. For example, you could say "She achieved the utmost success in her profession."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I am completely confident that the CIA will continue to thrive and carry out its essential mission, and I have the utmost confidence in Acting Director Michael Morell and the men and women of the CIA who work every day to keep our nation safe.

The Guardian

Self-education (or autodidacticism) requires the utmost discipline – plus curiosity.

The Guardian

The Malaysian government has tried its utmost to keep Anwar Ibrahim, the leader of Malaysia's resurgent opposition, from power ever since he fell out of favour a decade ago.

The Guardian

She said the prosecutor had been hugely disappointed by Masipa's verdict".He did his utmost best.He's devastated now, Gerrie Nel, but I can only say that he pulled his guts out for Reeva.He always spoke of her and he was doing his best.He did the best job anybody could do".

The Guardian

Although we and our partners try our utmost, we know that we cannot hope to stop everything".

The Guardian

Those who fell ill were isolated in hospital and treated with the utmost care and caution; all their contacts were traced and tested.

The Guardian

They went on trial in 1966 and were described as "sadistic killers of the utmost depravity" when they were sentenced to life imprisonment.

The Guardian

Sergey Lavrov / Mr Putin is displeased - This is of utmost importance.

The Guardian

It's hitting his head there and that's bad news for Rudi Völler and even worse news for his hairdresser!" Meanwhile on the BBC, a completely farcical turn of events was being treated with the utmost gravity.

The Guardian - Sport

Secretary of state for energy, 1981-83; chancellof of the exchequer, 1983-89 Margaret Thatcher was a womanly woman and always considered it important to use her woman's skills to the utmost.

The Guardian

We can do our utmost to imagine what war and invasion mean, but we have only the imagination to help us; they have the real thing burning into their consciousness the necessity of straining every sinew to put an end to it.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utmost" to emphasize the superlative degree of something, particularly when describing effort, care, or importance.

Common error

Avoid using "utmost" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "best" or "greatest" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "utmost" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate the highest degree, quantity, or level. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatically correct usage, evident in examples expressing "utmost confidence" or "utmost care".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "utmost" functions as an adjective to denote the highest degree or level of something, and Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and usability across a wide range of writing scenarios. Frequently observed in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, "utmost" effectively emphasizes the significance of concepts like care, respect, and importance. For a more casual register, consider alternatives such as "greatest possible". As a reminder, while being commonly applicable, try to avoid overusing "utmost" in colloquial conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

greatest possible

Replaces "utmost" with a more explicit description of maximum capacity.

absolute best

Emphasizes the quality of being the best without limitations.

highest degree

Focuses on the intensity or level of something.

maximum extent

Highlights the limit or scope of something.

peak level

Suggests reaching the highest point or state.

complete

Implies total or full, similar to reaching the utmost.

supreme

Indicates the highest in rank or quality.

ultimate

Signifies the final or highest point.

fullest

Emphasizes completeness and thoroughness.

most extreme

Indicates the furthest point from the norm.

FAQs

How can I use "utmost" in a sentence?

You can use "utmost" to describe the highest degree of something, such as "He showed the "utmost respect"" or "They tried their "utmost best"".

What words can I use instead of "utmost"?

Alternatives to "utmost" include "greatest possible", "absolute best", or "highest degree" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "utmost importance"?

Yes, "utmost importance" is a correct and commonly used phrase to emphasize that something is extremely important or critical.

What is the difference between "utmost" and "maximum"?

"Utmost" generally refers to the highest degree or level of something, often in a qualitative sense, while "maximum" refers to the greatest quantity or amount that is possible.