utter fear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utter fear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of extreme or complete fear. Example: "As the dark figure approached, she was filled with utter fear, unable to move or scream."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"It's utter fear," he said.

The New York Times

"The look on his face was utter fear," Josh Weiselberg said.

The New York Times

Walking into the empty restaurant that quiet lunchtime, I saw a reaction I didn't expect from the staff: they looked on with utter fear.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Knocked Up" and "Funny People" (Judd Apatow, 2007 and 2009): Profanity masking a great tenderness; dirty talk about women masking utter fear of women; the comic as extreme artist, disastrously cut off from family life.

The New Yorker

The Nakhala family, which lives next to the compound, was inspecting the damage on Tuesday morning and recounting the utter fear and panic they all felt as the missiles hit.

The New York Times

The actor told me taking on the role was "a mixture of a dream and utter fear".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Usually, the silly chatterers are busy with their daily repressions -- they talk of the weather, the news, the driving habits of their nephews -- but occasionally they huddle together and utter their fears: "We do not like to look out of the same window, and see quite a different landscape.

The New York Times

Fans of the sci-fi series of films have designated today Star Wars Day, a time of the year when the greeting "May the 4th be with you" can be uttered without fear of being laughed at like Han Solo was after Princess Leia called him "laser brain".

The Guardian

Their quickness to the rim and their utter lack of fear of Shaquille O'Neal made the Lakers look slow and worn.

The New York Times - Sports

You look at "The Meaning of Life," and, in a lot of ways — especially the head-on ways in which it takes on that actual question, its scope and its utter lack of fear — it has no competition.

The New Yorker

Absorbing them again in fits of nostalgia thanks to the miracle of YouTube, what is most striking about these programmes is not their shocking lack of ethnic diversity but the utter absence of fear about employment.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for dramatic effect, use "utter fear" to underscore the intensity and completeness of the feeling, conveying a sense of being entirely consumed by fear. This is particularly effective in narrative contexts where you want to emphasize a character's vulnerability or the severity of a situation.

Common error

Avoid using "utter fear" to describe mild anxiety or simple nervousness. "Utter" implies completeness and totality; reserve it for scenarios where the fear is absolute and overwhelming, not just a fleeting emotion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utter fear" functions primarily as a noun phrase where the adjective "utter" intensifies the noun "fear". It's designed to amplify the intensity of the emotion. Ludwig confirms that it is usable in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Opinion

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "utter fear" is a valid and commonly used phrase to describe a state of intense and complete fear. As Ludwig confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for a variety of contexts, although best reserved for situations where the emotion is genuinely overwhelming. Alternatives such as "absolute terror" or "sheer dread" can offer nuanced variations, but "utter fear" effectively conveys a sense of total and consuming dread, and is often found in journalism and opinion pieces from authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolute terror

Replaces "fear" with "terror", emphasizing the intensity of the emotion.

sheer dread

Substitutes "fear" with "dread", conveying a sense of impending doom or anxiety.

complete panic

Focuses on the behavioral manifestation of fear as "panic", highlighting a loss of control.

profound anxiety

Replaces "fear" with "anxiety", softening the intensity while retaining the sense of unease.

deep apprehension

Uses "apprehension" to suggest a more anticipatory and reflective form of fear.

intense trepidation

Employs "trepidation" to emphasize a trembling, fearful anticipation.

overwhelming dread

Highlights the overpowering nature of the "dread" felt.

paralyzing fear

Focuses on the incapacitating effect of the "fear".

consuming terror

Emphasizes that the "terror" is all-encompassing and dominating.

unadulterated terror

Highlights that the "terror" is pure and without any other emotion mixed in.

FAQs

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

Use "utter fear" to describe a state of complete and overwhelming fear. For instance, "The victim's eyes reflected "utter fear" as the assailant approached".

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

Alternatives to "utter fear" include "absolute terror", "sheer dread", or "complete panic". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "total fear" instead of "utter fear"?

While "total fear" is understandable, "utter fear" often implies a deeper, more all-encompassing sense of dread. Therefore, "utter fear" is generally a stronger and more evocative choice.

What's the difference between "utter fear" and "great fear"?

"Great fear" suggests a significant level of fear, while "utter fear" signifies a complete and absolute state of fear, leaving no room for other emotions or thoughts. Utter fear is all-consuming.