utter absurdity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "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 pure utter absurdity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

An utter absurdity.

The New York Times

He reminds us of the extent to which we blind ourselves to the utter absurdity of so-called ordinary life.

The Guardian - Books

It's like Apples to Apples, if you're familiar, but with R-rated topics and extra points for lewdness and utter absurdity.

The Washington Post

At the luxury end of the pickup market, you come across utter absurdity, like the now-discontinued Lincoln Blackwood, which looked as if it was pitched directly at the short-haul drug-dealer market.

The New York Times

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

I'd never noticed the violence against women that is demonstrated right at the very top of Romeo and Juliet, while Robin Arthur's version of As You Like It is delivered so deadpan that the utter absurdity of human beings in love becomes heightened.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Their arguments against a Chabad Lubavitch center proposed for Kings Point ["Is It the Traffic or the Black Hats?" June 17] are utter absurdities.

The New York Times

How do shrewd and sophisticated investors get taken by schemes that, when unearthed, read like utter absurdities?

Forbes

I'm going to have to disagree, and the recent events in the life one such detainee, Huzaifa Parhat, go a long way in demonstrating the utter, crazyfaced absurdity of the administration's detention policy.

Huffington Post

To utter such absurdities is equivalent to branding yourself anti-freedom, anti-American and even anti-Christian.

HuffPost

He fails to differentiate between true absurdity and utter inanity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing the phrase "utter absurdity", ensure that your tone aligns with the gravity of the situation you are describing. Overusing it can dilute its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "utter absurdity" in contexts that require a more nuanced or subtle critique. It's a strong phrase best reserved for situations where the foolishness is blatant and undeniable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utter absurdity" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object. It describes something considered completely ridiculous or nonsensical. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in diverse contexts, emphasizing a strong degree of disbelief or disapproval.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "utter absurdity" is a noun phrase used to express strong disagreement with something considered completely ridiculous. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It's most frequently found in News & Media contexts. Related phrases include "complete nonsense" and "sheer foolishness". While versatile, it's crucial to use it appropriately, avoiding overuse and misapplication in overly formal settings. The phrase conveys a potent sense of disbelief and aims to persuade others of the illogicality of the subject at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outright absurdity

Similar to "utter absurdity" but replaces 'utter' with 'outright'.

complete nonsense

Emphasizes the lack of meaning or truth in something.

complete folly

Implies a lack of good sense or normal prudence and foresight.

sheer foolishness

Highlights the lack of wisdom or good judgment.

total ridiculousness

Focuses on the laughable and absurd nature of something.

pure lunacy

Suggests a state of extreme irrationality or madness.

absolute preposterousness

Indicates something is completely contrary to reason or common sense.

arrant nonsense

Stresses the unmitigated and blatant nature of the nonsense.

downright silliness

Implies a childish or trivial level of foolishness.

unmitigated farce

Highlights the chaotic and absurd nature of a situation.

FAQs

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

Use "utter absurdity" when you want to strongly emphasize the ridiculous or nonsensical nature of something. For example, "The suggestion that we could finish the project in a day is an "utter absurdity"".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "utter absurdity"?

Alternatives to "utter absurdity" include "complete nonsense", "sheer foolishness", or "total ridiculousness". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "utter absurdity" too informal for academic writing?

While "utter absurdity" can be used in various contexts, for formal academic writing, consider using more restrained synonyms like "complete fallacy" or "sheer irrationality" to maintain a professional tone. Also consider that an academic context may requires a formal explanation, rather than an insult.

What's the difference between "absurdity" and "utter absurdity"?

Adding "utter" before "absurdity" intensifies the meaning, emphasizing a higher degree of ridiculousness or nonsensicality. "Absurdity" alone describes something unreasonable, while "utter absurdity" denotes something exceptionally unreasonable.