utterly deserved

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly deserved" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that someone or something has rightfully earned a particular outcome or recognition. Example: "After years of hard work and dedication, her promotion was utterly deserved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Utterly deserved, if this song is anything to judge by.

The Guardian - Music

The goal was no real surprise; the points were utterly deserved.

Independent

The scenes at the final whistle were staggering, their victory utterly deserved.

The Guardian - Sport

The role won Thewlis the utterly deserved Best Actor Award at Cannes in 1993, plus a handful of critics'-circle awards.

Independent

He started the season as third-choice hooker behind Joe Gray and Rob Buchanan but when those two return from injury, they will be hard pressed to displace Ward, whose man of the match award was utterly deserved.

Independent

Simon Cambers For all Novak Djokovic's brilliance in winning the title – and utterly deserved it was, too – seeing Roger Federer still playing great tennis at 32, after so many years on Tour, was a great sight.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Russia's laws against "homosexual propaganda" are, of course, utterly deserving of ridicule and condemnation, and received that in spades well before the Olympics even commenced.

The Guardian - Sport

NME editor Mike Williams said: "Never has anyone been so utterly deserving of the title.

BBC

Utterly monstrous and deserves no respect whatsoever.

The Guardian

For at least 18 months now, Murray has been utterly convinced he deserves to be in this company, and winning majors.

The Guardian - Sport

Maybe if we are utterly fatuous, we deserve to be fat.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly deserved" to add emphasis to a positive outcome or recognition, making it clear that the result was fully justified and merited.

Common error

Avoid using "utterly deserved" in very casual conversation; it can sound overly formal or dramatic. Opt for simpler alternatives like "well-deserved" or "totally earned" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly deserved" functions as an adverb-adjective combination used to strongly emphasize that something was rightfully earned. As Ludwig indicates, the phrase underscores the justice or appropriateness of an outcome, as seen in examples where achievements or victories are celebrated.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "utterly deserved" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to strongly emphasize that something was rightfully earned. As Ludwig confirms, its function is to underscore the justice of an outcome and express strong approval. Predominantly found in News & Media and Sport contexts, its register is neutral to professional, lending a degree of formality while affirming achievements. If you are looking for a different expression, you could consider alternatives such as "fully deserved" or "well-earned". While grammatically correct, "utterly deserved" might feel like an unusual choice in very informal speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fully deserved

Emphasizes the completeness of the justification.

richly deserved

Suggests that the reward or outcome was of high value and rightly earned.

thoroughly deserved

Highlights the comprehensiveness of the deserving nature.

entirely deserved

Similar to 'fully deserved' but with a focus on the totality of the justification.

well-earned

Focuses on the effort or work that led to the deserved outcome.

justly deserved

Emphasizes the fairness and righteousness of the outcome.

amply deserved

Implies that the reward was more than sufficient, yet still justified.

completely justified

Shifts the focus to the justification of the outcome, rather than the deserving nature.

rightfully earned

Highlights the entitlement to the outcome based on merit.

eminently deserved

Suggests a high degree of deservingness and suitability.

FAQs

What does "utterly deserved" mean?

The phrase "utterly deserved" means that something was completely and undeniably earned or merited. It emphasizes the justice or appropriateness of a particular outcome.

What can I say instead of "utterly deserved"?

You can use alternatives like "fully deserved", "richly deserved", or "well-earned" depending on the context.

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

You can use "utterly deserved" to emphasize that an achievement, reward, or recognition was completely justified. For example, "After years of dedication, her promotion was utterly deserved."

Is "utterly deserved" formal or informal?

"Utterly deserved" is more formal than alternatives like "totally deserved" or "well-deserved". Use it when you want to add emphasis and convey a sense of formality.