utterly honest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly honest" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the complete and total honesty of a person or statement. Example: "She was utterly honest about her feelings, leaving no room for misunderstanding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

A cool, stylish and utterly honest painter of the modern world.

The Guardian - Arts

Yet she gave a vulnerable, utterly honest and, in its way, elegant performance.

The New York Times - Arts

If I was utterly honest about everything then it wouldn't be very entertaining.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Yet this somber, pensive piece has such directness and emotional clarity that the music seems utterly honest.

The New York Times - Arts

"To be utterly honest, I think I may have been a little naïve," the Guggenheim director Richard Armstrong said.

The New Yorker

Where many contemporary writers would reflexively turn to irony, Knausgaard is intense and utterly honest, unafraid to voice universal anxieties, unafraid to appear naïve or awkward.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

If his vision of the nude is utterly proprietorial, it is also absolutely honest.

The Guardian - Arts

But Amanda is sometimes obtuse, with the look of a TV-movie-of-the-week, though the performances are utterly heartfelt, honest and sympathetic.

The Guardian - Film

And Samir is mysterious precisely because he seems, at every turn, utterly sincere, honest even at his moments of greatest duplicity.

The New York Times

Marcus Mumford's rendition of "I Was Young When I Left Home" was utterly heartbreaking: honest, real and without pretense.

Los Angeles Times

Pope Francis appears utterly authentic and honest.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly honest" to emphasize a complete absence of deception or pretense. It is particularly effective when describing someone's character or evaluating the validity of a statement.

Common error

While "utterly honest" is acceptable, overuse in casual conversation can sound overly formal or insincere. Consider using simpler alternatives like "totally honest" or "really truthful" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly honest" functions as an intensifier (utterly) modifying an adjective (honest). It strengthens the adjective, emphasizing a complete and absolute state of honesty. Ludwig examples showcase its use in describing individuals, performances, and assessments.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Arts

20%

Opinion

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "utterly honest" is a phrase used to strongly emphasize sincerity and truthfulness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it leans towards a neutral to formal register. For alternative phrases, consider "perfectly honest" or "completely truthful", depending on the desired nuance. Use "utterly honest" when you want to convey a complete absence of deception, but be mindful of overusing it in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perfectly honest

Emphasizes flawlessness in honesty, differing in degree of intensity.

completely truthful

Focuses on the accuracy of information, shifting focus from person to statement.

totally sincere

Highlights genuineness of feeling, rather than just factual correctness.

entirely candid

Suggests openness and a willingness to share, broadening the scope of honesty.

absolutely frank

Implies boldness and directness in communication, adding a characteristic to the honesty.

unreservedly truthful

Emphasizes the lack of limitations in truthfulness, giving an idea of the high standard of honesty.

unquestionably sincere

Highlights the fact that there's no doubt about their sincerity, adding an extra level of conviction.

patently honest

Highlights the obviousness and undisguised quality of the honesty being referred to.

genuinely forthright

Emphasizes directness and honesty in expression, but includes genuineness as a main attribute.

blindingly truthful

Emphasizes the overwhelming and undeniable nature of the truth.

FAQs

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

You can use "utterly honest" to describe someone's character, as in "She was "utterly honest" about her mistakes", or to emphasize the truthfulness of a statement, such as "His account of the events was "utterly honest"".

What are some alternatives to "utterly honest"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "completely truthful", "totally sincere", or "entirely candid" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "utterly honest" more formal than "totally honest"?

Yes, "utterly honest" tends to be slightly more formal and emphasizes a complete and absolute lack of deception, while "totally honest" is a more common and less emphatic way to express sincerity.

When is it best to use "utterly honest" instead of "just honest"?

Use "utterly honest" when you want to strongly emphasize the truthfulness or sincerity of someone or something. It suggests a level of honesty that is complete, without any reservation or qualification, whereas "just honest" is a more general statement.