utter defiance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utter defiance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a complete and total refusal to obey or conform to authority or rules. Example: "The protestors stood in utter defiance of the government's orders, refusing to disperse."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The document might be even more remarkable, however, for its tone of utter defiance.

The New York Times

The only thing we can be sure will happen under a Conservative government is that a private members' bill to restrict womens' right to abortion will be successfully steered through parliament by Nadine Dorries and her cohorts, in utter defiance of the science.

The Guardian - Opinion

ZANU and ZAPU boycotted the elections held per the Internal Settlement in April 1979, which UN Security Council Resolution 448 called "sham elections... [held] in utter defiance of the United Nations".

Wikipedia

Abbas accordingly rebuffed Obama's entreaty for a milder resolution and the American president suffered the embarrassment of issuing his first veto in the UN in utter defiance of the hopes expressed so eloquently in his Cairo speech.

Huffington Post

All of which makes me think of the out-of-control use of chemicals in global agribusiness, in its for-profit zeal to turn the planet's arable land into endless acres of monoculture, in utter defiance of, and war against, the diversity of nature.

Huffington Post

In utter defiance of these pressures, nature has nonetheless tenaciously retained genes in organelles.

Genome Biology and Evolution

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

This deplorable tendency was first observed by my fifth-grade teacher, who dubbed me Miss Importance, and by the mothers of my childhood friends, who trembled at the phrase "Judy says," usually uttered in defiance of their own better judgments.

The New Yorker

Do not call her a bereaved mother, said Aisha Affendi, a co-president of the Movement for a Democratic Society in Kobani, whose son Shervan was killed in an ambush at 19. "I am the mother of a martyr," she said, a phrase habitually uttered with defiance, and one that confers instant credibility in Kurdish society.

The New York Times

The doublespeak seems to have escaped the navel-gazing pundits: this is utter deference masquerading as defiance.

The Guardian

I'm not sure what she means, or that "nuts under a cup" is a recognisable phrase, but Tomlin utters it with such defiance it probably should be.

The Guardian

The words I utter when wretched are words of defiance".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utter defiance" to emphasize a complete and unwavering opposition to authority, rules, or expectations. It is stronger than simple "defiance".

Common error

While grammatically correct, "utter defiance" can sound overly dramatic in casual conversation. Consider using simpler phrases like "complete disagreement" or "strong objection" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utter defiance" functions as a noun phrase, where "utter" modifies the noun "defiance". Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It intensifies the meaning of defiance, indicating a complete or extreme form of resistance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "utter defiance" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that signifies a complete and total resistance or disregard for authority. Ludwig AI confirms that it is used to express strong disapproval or condemnation. While it's found more commonly in news and media, it can be used in various contexts to emphasize the intensity of opposition. Remember to consider the formality of the setting and the potential for simpler alternatives in casual conversations. It is important to note that the examples collected in Ludwig confirm that the source is reliable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complete disobedience

Focuses on the act of not obeying, rather than the emotional tone.

blatant disregard

Highlights the open and obvious nature of the lack of respect or obedience.

total insubordination

Implies a hierarchical structure where someone is refusing to submit to authority.

open rebellion

Suggests a more active and potentially violent form of resistance.

sheer intransigence

Emphasizes the stubborn and unyielding nature of the resistance.

flagrant violation

Highlights the obvious and shocking nature of breaking a rule or law.

bold resistance

Emphasizes the courage and confidence in opposing something.

unyielding opposition

Stresses the firmness and determination of the resistance.

categorical refusal

Highlights a clear and unambiguous rejection or denial.

unequivocal rejection

Emphasizes that the rejection is not ambiguous or questionable.

FAQs

How to use "utter defiance" in a sentence?

Use "utter defiance" to describe a situation where someone or something completely disregards rules, authority, or expectations. For example: "The protestors stood in "utter defiance" of the government's orders, refusing to disperse."

What can I say instead of "utter defiance"?

You can use alternatives like "complete disobedience", "blatant disregard", or "total insubordination" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to use "utter defiance" or simply "defiance"?

"Utter defiance" emphasizes a complete and total disregard, whereas "defiance" alone suggests a general resistance. Use "utter defiance" when you want to stress the extreme nature of the opposition.

What is the difference between "utter defiance" and "sheer defiance"?

Both phrases emphasize the intensity of the defiance. "Utter defiance" suggests a complete and total disregard, while "sheer defiance" highlights the pure and unadulterated nature of the defiance. They are largely interchangeable, but "utter" may imply a more active resistance.