utterly corrupt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly corrupt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something or someone that is completely dishonest or morally depraved. Example: "The investigation revealed that the officials were utterly corrupt, taking bribes and misusing public funds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

It scarcely bothers to disguise its wholesale purchase of political parties, by means of an utterly corrupt and corrupting funding system.

The Guardian - Opinion

What Robert fails to mention is the utterly corrupt and corrupting nature of Dublin politics which is paramount to an incestuous and insidious Mafia organisation which will ensure that the families in government will always come out OK, and damn the rest.

BBC

This heart is utterly corrupt.

The New Yorker

This is utterly corrupt.

The Guardian - Opinion

Utterly corrupt killy-gun firearms team doing obviously utterly corrupt lying stuff?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Hardened Russians generally divide officials into two categories: the utterly corrupt and the partially corrupt.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

In each of these cases, this Court overturned a state court conviction obtained in a trial atmosphere that had been utterly corrupted by press coverage.

Cornell University

He said Coulson and his former colleagues in the dock "utterly corrupted" the paper which "became at the highest level a criminal enterprise".

The Guardian

He said the prosecution claim that Coulson and newsdesk editors who had pleaded guilty to a phone-hacking conspiracy had "utterly corrupted" the paper and turned it into a "criminal enterprise" was thoroughly unfair on his client and other reporters at the paper who had nothing to do with phone hacking.

The Guardian

The problem with Bush's faith-based initiative was that it was like everything else Bush did, utterly corrupted by an amoral fixer (Karl Rove) for whom everything was about political advantage – in the case of faith-based initiatives, thinly disguised payola for politically friendly evangelical groups.

The Guardian - Opinion

Portrayed with rough magic by Mark Bonnar, he is utterly of his corrupt world and also contemptuous of it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "utterly corrupt" with specific examples to strengthen the impact. Instead of stating a general claim, provide concrete instances of the corruption.

Common error

Avoid overusing the word "utterly" in your writing. While it can be effective for emphasis, overuse can weaken its impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic. Consider using synonyms or rephrasing for variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly corrupt" functions as a modifier, specifically an adjective phrase, intensifying the degree of corruption. Ludwig examples show it describing systems, individuals, and organizations, emphasizing the completeness of their dishonesty. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "utterly corrupt" is used to describe something that is completely dishonest or morally depraved. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is valid and can be used in writing. Analysis of the examples in Ludwig show that it is most commonly found in news and media contexts. Alternatives like "completely corrupt" or "totally corrupt" can be used to convey similar meanings. When using "utterly corrupt", ensure that the context justifies the strong condemnation implied by the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely corrupt

Replaces "utterly" with "completely", offering a direct synonym with similar intensity.

totally corrupt

Substitutes "utterly" with "totally", another synonym emphasizing the completeness of the corruption.

entirely corrupt

Uses "entirely" in place of "utterly", highlighting the all-encompassing nature of the corruption.

thoroughly corrupt

Emphasizes the depth and extent of the corruption using "thoroughly".

absolutely corrupt

Indicates corruption without exception, using "absolutely" for emphasis.

irredeemably corrupt

Highlights the inability to reform or improve due to the depth of corruption.

hopelessly corrupt

Suggests a situation where corruption is so entrenched that there is little hope for change.

incorrigibly corrupt

Focuses on the unchanging nature of the corruption, implying resistance to correction.

depraved

Shifts the focus to moral corruption and wickedness, offering a slightly broader interpretation.

venal

Specifically indicates corruption motivated by bribery or susceptibility to corruption.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "utterly corrupt" in a sentence?

You can use "utterly corrupt" to describe individuals, institutions, or systems that are completely dishonest or morally bankrupt. For example: "The investigation revealed an "utterly corrupt" network of officials taking bribes."

What are some alternatives to saying "utterly corrupt"?

Alternatives include "completely corrupt", "totally corrupt", or "thoroughly corrupt", each emphasizing the completeness of the corruption. You could also use "irredeemably corrupt" to stress the inability to reform.

Is it redundant to say "utterly corrupt"?

While "corrupt" already implies a lack of integrity, adding "utterly" intensifies the degree of corruption, emphasizing that it is complete and pervasive. The redundancy can be effective for rhetorical impact.

Can "utterly corrupt" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "utterly corrupt" can be used in formal writing, especially when describing severe instances of corruption. However, ensure the context warrants such strong language and that the claim is supported by evidence.