utterly meaningless

USAGE SUMMARY

'utterly meaningless' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is without purpose or value, for example: His words were utterly meaningless and had no underlying message.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Extinction would be utterly meaningless.

The New Yorker

Clohessy said the meeting "is just utterly, utterly meaningless".

Independent

It is, he says, an utterly meaningless activity.

The Guardian - Opinion

Tighe said such a promise was "utterly meaningless".

The Guardian

But the difference between a 620 score and a 619 is utterly meaningless.

The New York Times

Call it incomplete, unfair, misleading or even, as White House officials attest, utterly meaningless.

The New York Times

It pleases the backbenchers, it excites the trade unions, but it is utterly meaningless.

The Guardian

Some went the other way, and composed utterly meaningless chatter for their imaginary announcers, like @guywriter's "Remember Amanda Blake?

The New Yorker

New York manages to have election scandals even when the contests are utterly meaningless, so anything can happen.

The New York Times

In any event, I am vaguely aware that your version of this utterly meaningless story is the general perception.

The New York Times - Style

His promise not to interfere in abortion law if elected is utterly meaningless against the backdrop of his past actions.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly meaningless" to express a strong sense of worthlessness or lack of purpose. It's particularly effective when emphasizing the futility of an action or situation.

Common error

While "utterly meaningless" is widely understood, avoid overusing it in very casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "pointless" or "useless" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly meaningless" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun to express a strong sense of worthlessness or lack of purpose. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "utterly meaningless" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to express a strong sense of worthlessness or lack of purpose. Ludwig's analysis confirms its broad applicability in written English. While versatile, it's essential to consider the context and audience when using this phrase, as simpler alternatives may be more appropriate in very casual settings. The phrase appears frequently in news and academic sources, indicating a neutral to slightly formal register. Related phrases include "completely pointless" and "totally insignificant", which offer similar shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely pointless

Emphasizes the lack of purpose or reason.

entirely futile

Highlights the ineffectiveness and wastefulness.

totally insignificant

Focuses on the lack of importance or consequence.

absolutely worthless

Stresses the lack of value or merit.

devoid of meaning

Highlights the absence of significance or purpose.

of no consequence

Emphasizes the lack of impact or importance.

amounting to nothing

Suggests a result that is negligible or nonexistent.

empty and hollow

Focuses on the lack of substance or genuine feeling.

serving no purpose

Highlights the lack of utility or function.

in vain

Emphasizes the lack of success or positive outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "utterly meaningless" to describe something lacking purpose or value, such as "His promises turned out to be "utterly meaningless" after he failed to deliver on any of them".

What are some alternatives to "utterly meaningless"?

Alternatives include "completely pointless", "totally insignificant", or "absolutely worthless", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "utterly meaningless" formal or informal?

"Utterly meaningless" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it carries a slightly stronger emphasis than simpler alternatives.

When is it appropriate to use "utterly meaningless"?

Use "utterly meaningless" when you want to strongly emphasize that something has no value, purpose, or significance. It's often used in situations where there's a sense of frustration or disappointment.