utterly absurd

USAGE SUMMARY

"utterly absurd" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when something is extremely ridiculous or illogical. For example, "His explanation of why the project failed was utterly absurd."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Utterly absurd.

The New York Times

That is utterly absurd.

The Guardian - Sport

The rush to judgment seems utterly absurd.

The Guardian - Film

They will all be completely and utterly absurd.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The first is that the premise is utterly absurd.

The Guardian

That one of his oldest and closest friends would have found his canonization "utterly absurd"?

The New York Times - Books

"The comparison of Margaret Thatcher with Mr Churchill is utterly absurd.

Independent

How utterly absurd to celebrate an institution that I am banned from in most of the country.

The New York Times

"In some area the authors appear to be promoting utterly absurd ideas".

The Guardian - Books

It's not trivial, but it is utterly absurd the claims that are being made about it".

The Guardian

The most common comment is one along the lines of there being no transitional fossils, something utterly absurd.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly absurd" to express strong disagreement or disbelief, particularly when something defies logic or reason. It's stronger than simply saying something is 'silly' or 'wrong'.

Common error

While "utterly absurd" is widely used, consider its slightly informal tone. In highly formal or academic writing, opt for alternatives like "completely illogical" or "patently unsound" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly absurd" functions as an intensifier followed by an adjective. "Utterly" acts as an adverb modifying "absurd", strengthening the adjective to express a heightened degree of ridiculousness or illogicality. Ludwig confirms it is used when something is extremely ridiculous or illogical.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "utterly absurd" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express strong disagreement or disbelief regarding something deemed exceptionally ridiculous or illogical. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as an intensifier followed by an adjective. While mostly neutral in register, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, demonstrating its broad applicability. For formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "completely illogical" or "patently unsound" to maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely ridiculous

Emphasizes the ridiculous nature of something without necessarily implying a high degree of extremity.

patently ludicrous

Shares similar characteristics of ridiculousness and also emphasizes the evident nature of something, like it's easily visible to anyone.

totally preposterous

Highlights the ridiculous nature of something, adding a nuance of incredibility, implying that it's too far-fetched to be taken seriously.

blatantly nonsensical

Similar sense of lacking logic but focuses on lack of meaning.

manifestly foolish

Similar sense of lacking reason but focuses on lacking intelligence.

downright idiotic

More direct and informal way to express strong disagreement and derision.

absolutely nonsensical

Emphasis on the lack of any meaning or coherence, highlighting the impossibility of understanding.

thoroughly unreasonable

Focuses on the lack of reason or justification, suitable when something defies logic or fairness.

pure nonsense

A straightforward and informal way to dismiss something as lacking any value or truth.

stark raving mad

Emphasizes the complete disconnect from reality, suggesting something is wildly illogical or irrational.

FAQs

How can I use "utterly absurd" in a sentence?

You can use "utterly absurd" to describe something that is extremely ridiculous or illogical. For example, "The suggestion that we should abandon the project now is "utterly absurd"".

What are some alternatives to "utterly absurd"?

Alternatives include "completely ridiculous", "patently ludicrous", or "totally preposterous", depending on the context and the degree of formality you want to convey.

Is "utterly absurd" too informal for academic writing?

While "utterly absurd" is acceptable in many contexts, it can be perceived as slightly informal. In academic writing, consider alternatives like "completely illogical" or "patently unsound".

What makes something "utterly absurd"?

Something is "utterly absurd" when it's not only ridiculous but also completely lacks logic or reason. It implies a strong sense of disbelief or disagreement. The Ludwig AI confirms this as a correct and usable phrase.