utterly dissimilar

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly dissimilar" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that two or more things are completely different from each other. Example: "The two paintings are utterly dissimilar, showcasing contrasting styles and color palettes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

And we chose summings-up by songwriting prodigies who each redefined the term "popular music," though in utterly dissimilar ways.

The New York Times - Books

Geisel did not enter this sweepstakes himself, but he commented sympathetically on the utterly dissimilar, and universally unnaturalistic, results.

The New Yorker

Even though the average location of the two misses is a hit, the deer is quite unscathed: Two things can be equal on average, yet otherwise utterly dissimilar.

University of California, Berkeley

But he also knows that they're not deterministic in the lives of individuals, that the historical stakes and the intimate ones, the long-term scope of ideas and the immediate desires that drive people, are utterly dissimilar, askew, even contradictory.

The New Yorker

It began life in 1965 as Neil Simon's Broadway hit about the domestic discord between two divorced yet utterly dissimilar roommates, the finicky neat freak Felix Unger and the sloppy, beer-swilling Oscar Madison.

The New York Times

Ashton's version has a pas de deux for the fairy monarchs Oberon and Titania that's at least as marvelous, utterly dissimilar, and with tensions and releases that express the conflicts and resolutions of not only this couple but also of the drama's mortal lovers too.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

One of the stars is Mark Ruffalo, who featured very prominently on a recent, not dissimilar pro-Bernie Sanders video – for the now utterly forgotten ReLoveLution campaign.

The Guardian - Film

Although ligand-based methods are widely used for target identification and have achieved a great amount of success, they become utterly useless for the remaining "unknown space" (i.e., dissimilar ligands).

Biophysics Reports

Not dissimilar?

The Guardian

They're obviously dissimilar.

The New York Times - Arts

Steve McPhail and Michael Brackenhofer are dissimilar men.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly dissimilar" to add emphasis when highlighting a significant contrast between two subjects. This phrase is particularly effective in formal writing where a strong, clear distinction is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "utterly dissimilar" in casual or informal settings where simpler phrases like "completely different" or "totally unlike" might be more appropriate. Overusing formal language can sound unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly dissimilar" functions as an adjective phrase used to modify a noun, emphasizing the extent of difference. As seen in Ludwig, it serves to highlight a complete lack of similarity between two or more subjects.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "utterly dissimilar" is an adjective phrase used to emphasize a complete lack of similarity between two or more things. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and most often used in news and media contexts. While effective for adding emphasis, it's best reserved for formal or neutral writing to avoid sounding unnatural in casual conversation. Consider alternatives like "completely different" or "totally unlike" for less formal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely different

This alternative is a more common and straightforward way to express a total lack of similarity.

entirely unlike

This alternative emphasizes the absence of any shared characteristics or resemblance.

totally different

This phrase is a direct synonym, focusing on the complete divergence between the subjects.

categorically distinct

This option adds a sense of formal and clear differentiation.

worlds apart

This is a more figurative expression emphasizing the vast differences.

poles apart

This is another figurative expression that emphasizes extreme difference.

distinct as night and day

This alternative utilizes a simile to highlight the clear contrast.

bears no resemblance

This option focuses on the absence of any visual or recognizable similarity.

as different as chalk and cheese

This British idiom emphasizes the extreme dissimilarity between two things.

contrast sharply

This alternative emphasizes that the difference between things is notable and easily seen.

FAQs

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

You can use "utterly dissimilar" to describe two or more things that have no common traits or characteristics. For example: "The two artists' styles are "utterly dissimilar", one favoring abstract expressionism while the other focuses on hyperrealism."

What phrases are similar to "utterly dissimilar"?

Several phrases share a similar meaning with "utterly dissimilar", including "completely different", "entirely unlike", and "totally different". The choice depends on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

When is it appropriate to use "utterly dissimilar"?

"Utterly dissimilar" is appropriate in formal writing or when you want to emphasize the complete lack of similarity between two or more things. It is often used in analytical or comparative contexts.

Which is more emphatic: "utterly dissimilar" or "dissimilar"?

"Utterly dissimilar" is more emphatic than just "dissimilar". The addition of "utterly" intensifies the degree of difference, suggesting a complete and undeniable lack of resemblance.