utter honesty

USAGE SUMMARY

'utter honesty' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize complete and total honesty. For example: "He responded with utter honesty when asked the difficult question".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The public would never accept utter honesty from a candidate.

The New York Times

Utter honesty eliminates hope for a happy and successful world right around the corner.

The New York Times

Mr. Gorman's statement that "utter honesty eliminates hope for a happy and successful world right around the corner" is entirely fitting — for a dictatorship.

The New York Times

RICHARD FEYNMAN, a Nobel-prize-winning physicist, declared in a speech in 1974 that science requires "a kind of utter honesty".

The Economist

Courting danger, he lunged at top notes, cut no corners, sang every phrase with maximum expressivity, utter honesty and visceral power.

The New York Times - Arts

My mother's funeral and the shivah that followed offered a supportive context within which I was able to speak without rancor, but with utter honesty, about my lack of sadness regarding her death.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Online site Salon had already branded her "Trump's liar in chief", with an "utter lack of regard for honesty [that's] simply breathtaking".

The Guardian

"If there is a quality overlooked in his writing by some of the more obtuse commentators," he wrote, "it is that gentleness, coupled with a total honesty on every plane and an utter freedom from anything cruel, cheap or mean".

The New York Times - Books

A "tapioca-face" Iago, Ovitz blithely lures clients away from the dying boss of William Morris and seems incapable of honesty: "The former agent spoke with such utter conviction that it took Richard a moment to grasp that every word was a lie".

The New Yorker

That was part of his honesty, as was expressing outrageous opinions that – he believed – others shared but feared to utter.

The Guardian

"Captain America: utter, utter, utter tosh".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the impact of "utter honesty"; sometimes, a more nuanced approach may be more appropriate depending on the context and audience.

Common error

Avoid using "utter honesty" as an excuse for being unnecessarily harsh or insensitive. While truthfulness is valuable, it should be delivered with consideration for others' feelings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utter honesty" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject complement. It denotes a state or quality. Ludwig provides examples where it describes a person's character or the nature of their statements.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "utter honesty" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's used to emphasize the completeness and sincerity of truthfulness. While not exceedingly common, it appears in various contexts, especially in News & Media. Ludwig’s examples showcase its use in describing character or statements. When using the phrase, be mindful of the potential impact and avoid confusing it with bluntness. Alternatives like "complete candor" or "total sincerity" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complete candor

Emphasizes openness and a lack of reservation in expressing the truth.

total sincerity

Highlights the genuineness and lack of pretense in one's honesty.

absolute truthfulness

Stresses the absence of any falsehood or deception.

unreserved frankness

Focuses on the unrestrained and direct nature of the honesty.

unwavering integrity

Highlights steadfast adherence to moral and ethical principles, including honesty.

forthrightness

Direct and outspoken honesty, sometimes implying boldness.

unvarnished truth

Describes honesty without any embellishment or softening.

brutal honesty

Implies honesty that is direct and possibly painful.

unflinching honesty

Honesty that doesn't waver or shy away from difficult truths.

perfect integrity

Highlights the flawless and impeccable nature of one's honesty and moral principles.

FAQs

How to use "utter honesty" in a sentence?

You can use "utter honesty" to describe someone's character or to emphasize the truthfulness of a statement. For example, "He responded with "utter honesty" when asked the difficult question."

What can I say instead of "utter honesty"?

You can use alternatives like "complete candor", "total sincerity", or "absolute truthfulness depending on the context.

Which is correct, "utter honesty" or "complete honesty"?

Both ""utter honesty"" and "complete honesty" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on stylistic preference, with "utter" perhaps adding a slightly stronger emphasis.

What's the difference between "utter honesty" and "brutal honesty"?

"Utter honesty" simply refers to complete truthfulness, while "brutal honesty" implies that the truth is delivered in a harsh or unflinching manner, potentially causing discomfort or pain.