utterly reprehensible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly reprehensible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions, behaviors, or situations that are completely unacceptable or deserving of strong condemnation. Example: "The company's decision to exploit workers in developing countries is utterly reprehensible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Valérie Pécresse, of the traditional right-wing UMP party, said the comments were "utterly reprehensible" and parliament should sanction him.

The Guardian

Chief executive Paul King said:  "The Prime Minister's boasts of 'slashing 80,000 pages' of environmental guidance is utterly reprehensible.

The Guardian

The other professor said yesterday that she was on sabbatical, found the noose incident "utterly reprehensible," and denied she had anything to do with it.

The New York Times

"The brutal and inhuman treatment of civilians by the L.T.T.E. is utterly reprehensible, and should be examined to see if it constitutes war crimes," she said.

The New York Times

The characters Davis portrays are often utterly reprehensible and narcissistic – and in the case of Jill Tyrrell in Nighty Night an actual murderer.

The Guardian

For too long, Britain has encouraged, applauded and subsidised utterly reprehensible behaviour on the grounds that it is, well, just how business works.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

South Africa definitely has much stronger national institutions than Nigeria, and although the apartheid system was morally reprehensible and utterly indefensible, the fact is that functioning institutions created then are now serving all South Africans today.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee sent an email saying Franks' remark was "reprehensible and utterly false" and asked for donations to its "Women's Health Rapid Response Fund".

Huffington Post

It's why Chris Morris was so polarizing with Jam you utterly believed his warped, frighteningly reprehensible characters were real, such was the deftness with which he and his cast played them (see: "​Disinterested Parents of Missing Child"). .

Vice

That is reprehensible".

The New York Times

It's reprehensible".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly reprehensible" when you want to express strong disapproval of something, indicating that it is completely unacceptable and deserving of condemnation. Ensure the context aligns with this level of severity.

Common error

Avoid using "utterly reprehensible" in situations that warrant only mild disapproval. This phrase is strong and should be reserved for truly unacceptable or morally wrong actions to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly reprehensible" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It serves to intensify the negative quality of whatever it describes, indicating a high degree of disapproval or moral condemnation. Ludwig examples confirm its use in expressing strong negative opinions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

1%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "utterly reprehensible" is a powerful expression used to convey strong disapproval and moral condemnation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly found in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "completely unacceptable" or "totally disgraceful" exist, "utterly reprehensible" carries a unique weight, emphasizing the severity of the offense. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure the context warrants such a strong expression to maintain its impact and avoid overuse in milder situations. Its prevalence in authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times underscores its suitability for formal and serious discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly disgraceful

Mirrors the original structure while replacing "reprehensible" with "disgraceful".

completely unacceptable

Replaces "reprehensible" with a more direct term for unacceptability, simplifying the expression.

totally unacceptable

Similar to "completely unacceptable", but uses "totally" for emphasis.

wholly unacceptable

Emphasizes the completeness of unacceptability, providing a more formal tone.

absolutely unacceptable

Uses "absolutely" to intensify the unacceptability, adding a layer of emphasis.

completely deplorable

Substitutes "reprehensible" with "deplorable", highlighting the deserving of condemnation.

thoroughly disgraceful

Shifts the focus to the shameful nature of the action or behavior.

absolutely appalling

Replaces "reprehensible" with "appalling", emphasizing the shocking and offensive nature.

thoroughly offensive

Focuses on the offensive nature of the behavior, using "thoroughly" for emphasis.

utterly outrageous

Emphasizes the extreme and unacceptable nature of the action or behavior.

FAQs

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

You can use "utterly reprehensible" to describe actions or behaviors that are completely unacceptable. For example: "The company's decision to exploit workers was "utterly reprehensible"."

What can I say instead of "utterly reprehensible"?

You can use alternatives like "completely unacceptable", "totally disgraceful", or "absolutely appalling" depending on the context.

What makes something "utterly reprehensible"?

Something is considered "utterly reprehensible" when it is so morally wrong or unacceptable that it deserves strong condemnation. It often involves a serious breach of ethical or moral standards.

Is "utterly reprehensible" formal or informal?

While "utterly reprehensible" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, its strong connotation makes it more common in situations where a serious and emphatic condemnation is warranted. It's suitable for news reports, formal statements, and even strong personal opinions.