utterly foolish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly foolish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action, idea, or behavior that is completely lacking in sense or judgment. Example: "His decision to invest all his savings in that scheme was utterly foolish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Dropping out would be utterly foolish.

The New York Times

"I just think that whoever came up with that is utterly foolish".

The New York Times

Not because I don't judge the utterly foolish and destructive choices I witness other parents making, but because I don't want my own foolish and destructive choices judged.

The New Yorker

Our creative instincts are what have kept us at the forefront of innovation as a nation for many centuries – we would be utterly foolish to threaten them with poorly designed policy.

The Guardian

Msgr. Thomas B. Derivan, pastor of neighboring St. Helena's parish, spoke about Monsignor Kavanagh at Masses on Sunday, declaring him innocent and saying the allegation of an improper relationship was "utterly foolish and hurtful".

The New York Times

It was Mr. Carr who warned the class that many police departments may improperly lard the state permit application with requests for things like letters of reference ("They're utterly foolish," he said) and permission to review medical and employment history ("a gross violation of your rights to privacy").

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

"That was absolutely foolish.

The New York Times

Absolutely foolish.

Los Angeles Times

"Three Billboards," in contrast, has only a single flashback, though it fells you utterly: a foolish family rumpus, with Mildred refusing to let Angela borrow the car and Angela saying, fine, she'll walk, and shouting, "I hope I get raped on the way".

The New Yorker

It's as though the strong foundations of a simple Roald Dahl story have given Anderson scope to freewheel like he's never freewheeled before: there are more amusing mild personality disorders and examples of foolish but utterly believable human behaviour than in any of the above movies, and very little feels shoehorned in.

The Guardian - Film

You can accept these foolish ways or utterly reject them.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "utterly foolish" to emphasize a strong sense of disapproval or disbelief regarding a decision, action, or idea. It conveys that something is not just unwise, but completely lacking in sense or judgment.

Common error

While "utterly foolish" is a strong expression, avoid using it too frequently in your writing, as it can lose its impact and sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "completely idiotic" or "totally absurd" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly foolish" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a complete lack of wisdom or good sense. As supported by Ludwig, the phrase highlights actions or ideas deemed not just unwise, but entirely devoid of reason.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "utterly foolish" functions as an adjective phrase used to express strong disapproval of something deemed completely lacking in sense or judgment. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically correct and most frequently found in news and media contexts. While synonyms like "completely idiotic" or "totally absurd" can be used for variety, "utterly foolish" maintains a relatively neutral tone suitable for many, but not all, professional and academic settings. Overuse should be avoided to preserve its impact. Ludwig's analysis further supports its function and purpose in various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely idiotic

Replaces "foolish" with "idiotic", which has a stronger negative connotation.

totally absurd

Shifts the focus from lack of wisdom to lack of reason or logic.

patently ridiculous

"Patently" adds emphasis on the obviousness of the foolishness or absurdity.

blatantly unwise

Highlights the lack of wisdom and the obvious nature of the poor judgment.

absolutely ludicrous

Emphasizes the comical and laughable aspect of the foolishness.

thoroughly stupid

Uses a more direct and informal term ("stupid") to convey the foolishness.

egregiously silly

Indicates that the action or idea is remarkably or shockingly foolish.

unmitigated folly

More formal and emphasizes the grave and irreversible nature of the foolishness.

remarkably imprudent

Focuses on the lack of carefulness and foresight in the foolish action.

plainly senseless

Highlights the lack of any sensible or rational basis for the action or idea.

FAQs

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

You can use "utterly foolish" to describe decisions, actions, or ideas that are completely lacking in good sense or judgment. For example: "Dropping out of school would be "utterly foolish"."

What are some synonyms for "utterly foolish"?

Synonyms for "utterly foolish" include "completely idiotic", "totally absurd", and "patently ridiculous". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "utterly foolish" a formal or informal expression?

"Utterly foolish" is generally considered a neutral expression, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, be mindful of your audience and choose a more appropriate synonym if a stronger or more nuanced expression is needed.

What's the difference between "utterly foolish" and "slightly foolish"?

"Utterly foolish" implies a complete lack of good sense or judgment, while "slightly foolish" suggests a minor or less significant error in judgment. The word "utterly" intensifies the degree of foolishness.