utterly broken

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly broken" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is completely damaged or non-functional, often in a metaphorical sense as well. Example: "After the last update, the software became utterly broken, and we couldn't access any of our files."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Our broken visa system is a symptom of an utterly broken immigration system that is designed to keep people out at the cost of welcoming foreign nationals who could contribute to America's innovation-fueled comeback.

The New York Times

Diving in, deepening through the periphery of shame, what I very quickly discovered was quite simply my broken human heart; broken by disappointment, failure and defeat; utterly broken on behalf of the immense pain in our world.

Huffington Post

"Yes," he replied wearily, "I am utterly broken down.

The New York Times

He looks utterly broken but what an effort.

The Guardian - Sport

At the end, she had been utterly broken.

The Guardian

The means by which the country finances its campaigns is utterly broken.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

At one point, Miller, utterly broke, dependent on unreliable remittances from his wife in the United States, took a job as a teacher in Dijon, but he lasted only a week.

The New York Times - Books

Once the FBI says that it needs Apple's help, the FBI can't honestly challenge the fact that the help it seeks would utterly break a security suite that Apple has spent years developing.

TechCrunch

After all, if he's claiming to be corruption-free and utterly broke, someone has to back the war.

Vice

Education Secretary Arne Duncan describes the gloomy reality with uncharacteristic but commendable candor: "It's just the epitome of broken, just utterly bankrupt".

Huffington Post

Cheney failed utterly to break the unity of the analytical community on this point, which is why the language of the estimate was strong and clear.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly broken" to emphasize the complete and irreparable nature of damage or failure. It adds a strong emotional weight to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "utterly broken" in highly formal or academic writing where a more neutral or precise term might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like 'severely damaged' or 'completely inoperative'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly broken" functions primarily as a compound adjective. It modifies a noun, emphasizing the complete and irreparable state of being broken. It is frequently used to describe both physical and emotional states, as seen in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Huffington Post

12%

The Guardian - Sport

8%

Less common in

The Economist

4%

The New York Times - Arts

4%

Vice

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "utterly broken" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe something completely damaged or non-functional, often with emotional connotations. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it appears frequently in news and media sources. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While its usage is widespread, it's important to consider the context, as more formal alternatives might be preferable in academic or professional settings. The phrase effectively conveys the totality of damage or failure, adding emphasis and emotional weight to written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely shattered

Emphasizes the idea of being destroyed into many pieces, often used for emotional states.

totally wrecked

Suggests severe damage or ruin, applicable to both physical and emotional states.

irretrievably damaged

Highlights the impossibility of repair or recovery.

irreparably harmed

Similar to 'irretrievably damaged' but focuses more on the negative consequences of the damage.

completely ruined

Indicates a state of devastation or destruction, often implying a loss of value or worth.

totally devastated

Focuses on the emotional impact of the damage or loss.

absolutely crushed

Emphasizes the feeling of being overwhelmed and defeated.

utterly defeated

Highlights a complete loss or failure.

completely destroyed

Indicates total destruction, both physically and emotionally.

irreversibly broken

Stresses the permanent nature of the damage.

FAQs

What does "utterly broken" mean?

"Utterly broken" means completely damaged, destroyed, or non-functional, either physically or emotionally. It emphasizes the totality of the damage.

What can I say instead of "utterly broken"?

You can use alternatives like "completely shattered", "totally wrecked", or "completely ruined" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "utterly broken" in formal writing?

While "utterly broken" is widely understood, it might be too informal for certain academic or professional contexts. Consider using more neutral terms like 'severely damaged' or 'completely inoperative'.

How do I use "utterly broken" in a sentence?

You can use "utterly broken" to describe a physical object (e.g., 'The toy was utterly broken after the fall') or an emotional state (e.g., 'She felt utterly broken after the breakup').