utter dread

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utter dread" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing intense fear, such as when a person is confronted with something they find extremely frightening. Example: When I heard the thunder, I felt a wave of utter dread sweep over me.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

At this distance, I just recall the feeling of utter dread.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Don't get me wrong, I still find women attractive; I just don't want sex – the thought fills me with anxiety and utter dread.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Rosemary's Baby This menacing one-sheet for Roman Polanski's 1968 satanic horror uses a mixture of eerie colouring and the surprising use of a pram to evoke utter dread.

The Guardian - Film

Often, battles over the money pale into insignificance next to the titanic clash of egos involved in taking on another's voice and character.Some ghosts, who generally speak on conditions of anonymity, report that the subject they approach with utter dread is the fragile personality with pretensions to authorship.

The Guardian - Books

After exploring the aftermath of the Hillsborough deaths in To Be Somebody, a three-part Cracker storyline (played with brutal realism by Robert Carlyle), McGovern dramatised the incident itself, with Christopher Eccleston at the heart of an unflinching drama that brought home the mounting sense of utter dread and the frustration, panic and rage of the day.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

You have been added to a WhatsApp group, which is a phenomenon that only ever fills any right-minded person with utter dread.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

In this repertory, with incipient Romanticism beginning to burst into bloom, a stronger interpretive hand (not to utter the dread word "conductor") may be needed.

The New York Times - Arts

Today, it's sufficient for PHTs to simply utter the dreaded U-word – "unhealthy" – and pleasures of whatever pedigree are doomed.

The Guardian - Opinion

The student author would look at me with the sort of pity summonable only by a college sophomore and utter six dreaded words: "Have you seen the movie 'Memento'?" No, I would say, I hadn't seen that one.

The New York Times - Magazine

Because the Greeks feared to utter the dreaded name Erinyes, the goddesses were often addressed by euphemistic names, such as Eumenides ("Kindly") in Sicyon or Semnai ("August") in Athens.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Indeed, many Republicans were jubilant yesterday that Mr. Bush had found a running mate who would not lead delegates at next week's Republican convention to utter the dreaded "A word": abortion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For a more nuanced description, consider the context. Is it a sudden shock, a lingering worry, or a complete loss of control? Adjust your phrasing accordingly. For example, use "profound apprehension" for a more formal description.

Common error

Avoid using "utter dread" in everyday situations where a simpler expression of fear or unease would suffice. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic or insincere.

Linguistic Context

Utter dread" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a verb (e.g., "feel utter dread") or after a preposition. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase describes intense fear. Examples found through Ludwig illustrate its use in conveying a strong sense of apprehension and horror.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "utter dread" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in written English, primarily used to convey intense fear and anxiety. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness for describing situations that evoke extreme fright. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, "utter dread" serves to emphasize the overwhelming and often paralyzing nature of fear. While effective in adding a dramatic touch, it should be used judiciously to avoid diminishing its impact through overuse. Alternatives like "complete terror" or "sheer horror" can offer similar intensity with slightly different nuances. As the examples suggest, this phrase is most impactful when describing profound and unsettling experiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complete terror

Emphasizes the feeling of terror with the adjective "complete", indicating a sense of totality.

pure terror

Similar to "complete terror", but uses "pure" to emphasize the unadulterated nature of the fear.

sheer horror

Replaces "dread" with "horror", highlighting the frightening and shocking nature of the experience.

absolute panic

Focuses on the panicked response to a situation, rather than the fear itself.

intense fear

Uses more common language to convey a strong feeling of fear.

deep anxiety

Shifts the focus slightly to anxiety, suggesting a more prolonged and pervasive feeling of unease.

profound apprehension

Employs a more formal tone and emphasizes the anticipatory nature of the fear.

consuming fear

Highlights the all-encompassing nature of the fear.

overwhelming fear

Indicates that the fear is so strong it's difficult to manage.

crippling fear

Suggests that the fear is so intense that it impairs one's ability to function.

FAQs

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

You can use "utter dread" to describe a situation or feeling of intense fear and anxiety. For example, "The thought of public speaking filled me with "utter dread"".

What are some alternatives to "utter dread"?

Alternatives include "complete terror", "sheer horror", or "intense fear", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "utter dread" a formal or informal expression?

"Utter dread" is generally considered a more formal and literary expression. While understandable in most contexts, simpler terms may be preferable in casual conversation.

What's the difference between "utter dread" and "deep anxiety"?

"Utter dread" describes a more immediate and intense feeling of fear, while "deep anxiety" suggests a more prolonged and pervasive state of worry. The former is a sharp, acute experience, the latter is a chronic condition.