utterly cruel

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly cruel" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action, behavior, or situation that is extremely harsh or unkind. Example: "The decision to abandon the animals was utterly cruel and showed a complete lack of compassion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

It is utterly cruel.

Independent

A lifetime of forced Michener sounds, to me, utterly cruel and unusual.

The New York Times

Senior Obama administration officials viewed the adoption ban not only as geopolitically disproportionate, but so utterly cruel in denying orphans the chance to join a family that it left many speechless and some near tears.

The New York Times

And never mind the missed cues, dearth of contextualization and program glitches; it's utterly cruel to promise your audience an appearance by the dazzling Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, as the program did, then fail to deliver.

The New York Times - Arts

"This practice is utterly cruel because the scales are sloughed through a boiling process, sometimes when the animal is still alive," the organization wrote on its website.

Vice

(And watching curling during the last Olympics doesn't count -- that was just utterly cruel TV programing that forced us to watch it if we wanted to watch anything Olympic on TV. PLEASE DON'T EVER DO THAT AGAIN, NBC!).

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

But when she arrives she is utterly disappointed by her cruel cousins and their spoilt children!

The Guardian

But when I did see him, his behavior with me -- playful, sometimes cruel, a voice of utterly inconsistent and capricious authority -- confirmed my uneasiness, my ever-growing sense of being an imposter, outside life's laws".

The New York Times - Books

The visual imagery peddled by animal research opponents – much of it recycled from cruel practices decades ago – is utterly confronting.

The Guardian - Opinion

The homelessness charity Crisis warned at the time that the sharp rise in temporary benefit cuts was "cruel and can leave people utterly destitute – without money even for food and at severe risk of homelessness".

Independent

And even in a conflict that has plumbed new depths of depravity on all sides, the government emerges badly with its hideous barrel bombs pulverising neighbourhoods, cruel deployment of gas and utterly grotesque torture.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "utterly cruel", ensure the context clearly demonstrates a high degree of unkindness or inhumanity. It's a strong phrase, so reserve it for situations where the severity warrants such language.

Common error

Avoid using "utterly cruel" to describe minor inconveniences or disagreements. Save this phrase for truly egregious acts to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly cruel" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to emphasize the extreme degree of cruelty. Ludwig examples show it describing actions, policies, or situations. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, intensifying the adjective "cruel".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "utterly cruel" is an adjective phrase used to express extreme unkindness or harshness. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature, particularly within news and media contexts, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples. While grammatically sound and readily understood, it should be reserved for situations that genuinely warrant such strong language to avoid overstatement. Related phrases, such as "completely merciless" or "absolutely brutal", can serve as alternatives depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely merciless

Emphasizes the lack of mercy or compassion involved.

absolutely brutal

Highlights the extreme harshness and severity of the action.

thoroughly inhumane

Focuses on the lack of human compassion and moral consideration.

totally heartless

Emphasizes the absence of empathy or feeling.

unbelievably callous

Stresses the indifference to the suffering of others.

exceptionally sadistic

Indicates pleasure derived from inflicting pain or suffering.

remarkably savage

Highlights the fierce and uncontrolled nature of the cruelty.

outright atrocious

Expresses the shockingly bad and cruel nature of something.

plain fiendish

Implies a wicked or evil quality to the cruelty.

purely vicious

Underlines the malicious and aggressive nature of the action.

FAQs

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

You can use "utterly cruel" to describe actions or situations marked by extreme unkindness. For example, "The dictator's policies were "utterly cruel" to his people."

What are some synonyms for "utterly cruel"?

Alternatives to "utterly cruel" include "completely merciless", "absolutely brutal", and "thoroughly inhumane".

Is it okay to use "utterly cruel" in formal writing?

Yes, "utterly cruel" is appropriate for formal writing when the context involves genuine cruelty. Ensure that the tone and subject matter align with the gravity of the phrase.

What's the difference between "utterly cruel" and "somewhat cruel"?

"Utterly cruel" implies a complete and extreme level of cruelty, whereas "somewhat cruel" suggests a milder degree of unkindness. Use "utterly cruel" when emphasizing the extreme nature of the action.