utter travesty

USAGE SUMMARY

"utter travesty" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation that is extremely wrong or unjust. For example, "The lack of healthcare access in developing countries is an utter travesty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"It's an utter travesty of cinema," one poster wrote on Somethingawful.com.

The New York Times

And if Walcott somehow ends up with England in France this summer it'll be an utter travesty.

The Guardian - Sport

Judge Rakoff wrote that the proposed sentence exposed the "utter travesty of justice that sometimes results from the guidelines' fetish with abstract arithmetic".

The New York Times

There can be, wrote Mr. Rakoff, an "utter travesty of justice that sometimes results from the guidelines' fetish with abstract arithmetic, as well as the harm that guideline calculations can visit on human beings if not cabined by common sense".

The New York Times

"It's an utter travesty for the American consumer". The persistent shortage has also been costly for health plans whose patients have turned to prescription heartburn medication because of the shortage.

The New York Times

Even more damaging is the moral spinelessness of the narrative; the holiday, though an utter travesty, somehow furnishes Jane with a Darcy of her own, who in turn breaks through the shell of fakery to reveal his genuine worth.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

It would be regarded as an utter, shameful travesty by many in south-east Asia, but it's not actively unpleasant.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Utter farce.

The Washington Post

Who can resist Constable Travesty when he utters a sentence like, "We in the Yard keep up with our mythical ornithology". There's no place like England, when it's being mocked.

Los Angeles Times

Yet beyond the outsized presence of one particular personality, the real travesty of our predicament lies elsewhere -- in the utter shallowness of our political discourse, no more vividly on display than in the realm of national security.

Huffington Post

Utter garbage!

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "utter travesty", ensure the context provides sufficient evidence to support such a strong claim, avoiding overuse or exaggeration.

Common error

Avoid using "utter travesty" to describe minor inconveniences or disagreements; reserve it for situations involving significant injustice or corruption.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utter travesty" functions as a noun phrase, where 'utter' serves as an intensifier modifying the noun 'travesty'. It emphasizes the extreme nature of the injustice, mockery, or distortion being described. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "utter travesty" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to express strong disapproval or outrage, and as Ludwig AI notes, effectively describes a situation that is extremely wrong or unjust. Although "utter travesty" appears most frequently in news and media contexts, it can be found in formal and scientific writing as well. When using this phrase, ensure that its strength is justified by the context and that you are not overusing it. Alternatives like "complete mockery" or "absolute disgrace" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sheer travesty

Replace 'utter' with 'sheer', for a more emphatic tone.

utter injustice

Replaces "travesty" with "injustice", directly pointing to the unfairness of the situation.

complete mockery

Replaces "travesty" with "mockery", focusing on the ridiculous or farcical aspect of the situation.

total sham

Replaces "travesty" with "sham", highlighting the deceptiveness and lack of authenticity.

absolute disgrace

Substitutes "travesty" with "disgrace", emphasizing the shameful or dishonorable nature of the situation.

complete disaster

Uses "disaster" instead of "travesty", highlighting the catastrophic or ruinous aspect of the event.

blatant outrage

Replaces the noun with another noun, outrage; stressing the indignation felt about the situation.

pure distortion

The words are exchanged for 'pure' and 'distortion'; connoting the deformation of the truth.

shocking perversion

Substitutes "utter travesty" with "shocking perversion", emphasizing how something deviates from what's right or acceptable.

unmitigated perversion

The phrase is replaced by "unmitigated perversion", stressing the negativity.

FAQs

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

Use "utter travesty" to describe a situation that is a gross mockery or distortion of justice, fairness, or truth. For example, "The trial was an utter travesty of justice."

What are some alternatives to saying "utter travesty"?

You can use alternatives such as "complete mockery", "absolute disgrace", or "complete disaster" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "utter travesty" can be used in formal writing, especially when expressing strong disapproval of a situation. However, ensure the tone aligns with the overall formality of the piece.

What is the difference between "utter travesty" and "great tragedy"?

While both phrases describe negative situations, "utter travesty" implies a mockery or distortion of justice or truth, whereas "great tragedy" suggests a deeply unfortunate or sorrowful event.