utter agony

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utter agony" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an extreme level of pain or suffering, either physical or emotional. Example: "After the accident, he was in utter agony, unable to move or speak."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

When John McDonnell and the others finally delivered their latest reshuffle last January – "Oh, the utter agony!

The Guardian

"I saw the utter agony and ruination of sticking with a losing position," Bacon says.

Forbes

Listen to the sheer and utter agony for yourself.

Vice

For just as Mary and Joseph celebrated their newborn baby, there were plenty of other moms and dads in utter agony because their kids had just been killed.

Huffington Post

Before the execution, one of the defendants, Louis Lingg, committed suicide by detonating a blasting cap in his mouth which didn't immediately kill him, instead turning his last six hours of life into utter agony.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

My left knee was in complete agony.

BMJ Open

Total and utter grinding agony that slowly kills us.

Vice

Too much procrastination can lead you into a slump of utter despair and agony.

WikiHow

Sign uPurer the best of VICE, delivered to younmitigatedily.

Vice

Lament me not, but sing songs of youth and joy: Shed not tears upon me, but sing of harvest and the winepress: Utter no sigh of agony, but draw upon my face with your Finger the symbol of Love and Joy.

Huffington Post

"I have no Faith - I dare not utter the words & thoughts that crowd in my heart - & make me suffer untold agony," she wrote in an undated letter.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "utter agony", ensure the context clearly warrants such a strong expression of suffering or pain to avoid exaggeration.

Common error

Avoid using "utter agony" to describe minor inconveniences or discomforts. This phrase is reserved for situations involving extreme suffering, whether physical or emotional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utter agony" functions as a noun phrase, where "utter" intensifies the noun "agony". As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly describes a state of extreme suffering. Examples from Ludwig showcase its use in describing both physical and emotional pain.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "utter agony" is a grammatically sound and understandable phrase used to express a high degree of suffering, whether physical or emotional. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides several examples. While deemed rare in frequency based on the limited examples found, the phrase is most commonly encountered in news and media contexts. When employing "utter agony", ensure the situation genuinely warrants such a strong descriptor. Alternative phrases such as "intense pain" or "extreme anguish" can be considered for nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excruciating pain

Uses "excruciating" to emphasize the severity of the pain, replacing "utter".

intolerable agony

Highlights the inability to tolerate the agony.

intense pain

Substitutes "utter" with "intense" and "agony" with the more common term "pain".

severe pain

Emphasizes the severity of the pain, similar to "intense pain".

extreme anguish

Replaces "utter" with "extreme" and "agony" with "anguish", conveying deep distress.

complete suffering

Replaces "agony" with a more general term for suffering and "utter" with "complete".

consuming torment

Implies that the torment is all-encompassing and overwhelming.

unbearable suffering

Focuses on the inability to endure the suffering, a slightly different nuance.

sheer torment

Replaces "utter agony" with a more evocative and intense expression.

deep distress

Uses a more general term, "distress", to convey the suffering.

FAQs

How can I use "utter agony" in a sentence?

You can use "utter agony" to describe extreme physical or emotional pain. For example: "The victim described the accident as a moment of "utter agony"."

What are some alternatives to "utter agony"?

Some alternatives include "intense pain", "extreme anguish", or "excruciating pain", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "utter agony" in formal writing?

Yes, "utter agony" is appropriate for formal writing when describing situations of extreme suffering, but consider the audience and purpose. It is commonly found in news and media.

What's the difference between "utter agony" and "great discomfort"?

"Utter agony" describes intense suffering, while "great discomfort" refers to a much milder state of unease. They are not interchangeable.