utterly ridiculous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly ridiculous" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to emphasize how ridiculous something is, and it is often used to express disbelief, surprise, or frustration. For example: "It's utterly ridiculous that we have to stay inside all day due to the pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Utterly ridiculous.

Independent

"That's utterly ridiculous".

The New York Times

It's utterly ridiculous.

The Washington Post

"It's utterly ridiculous," he said.

The New York Times

"I think it's utterly ridiculous".

The New York Times

This new restriction is utterly ridiculous.

The New York Times

An utterly ridiculous 35-minute ID check.

The Guardian

The age group is utterly ridiculous!

The Guardian - Books

Saying "Don't have children" is utterly ridiculous.

The Guardian

"The proposal is utterly ridiculous," he said.

The New York Times

It is utterly ridiculous, and knows it.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly ridiculous" to express strong disapproval or disbelief when something is foolish, illogical, or absurd. Ensure that the context warrants such a strong term.

Common error

While "utterly ridiculous" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid using it in highly formal or academic writing where a more nuanced or sophisticated vocabulary is expected. Consider alternatives like "untenable", "fallacious", or "implausible" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly ridiculous" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to express a strong degree of absurdity or foolishness. As Ludwig AI states, it's used to emphasize how ridiculous something is and expresses disbelief, surprise, or frustration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "utterly ridiculous" is a commonly used adjective phrase to express strong disapproval or disbelief. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral or informal contexts, and writers should consider more formal alternatives in academic or professional settings. The phrase is widely used in News & Media, as confirmed by Ludwig, indicating its prevalence in expressing opinions and reactions to current events. When you want to express a strong disapproval in a very common and effective way, "utterly ridiculous" is the go-to phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely absurd

Replaces "ridiculous" with "absurd", indicating a higher degree of illogicality or irrationality.

patently absurd

Similar to "completely absurd" but emphasizes the obviousness of the absurdity.

totally ludicrous

Uses "ludicrous" instead of "ridiculous", suggesting the situation is laughably foolish.

absolutely preposterous

Replaces "utterly ridiculous" with a stronger and more formal term "preposterous", emphasizing its absurdity.

downright laughable

Focuses on the comical aspect of the situation, suggesting it's worthy of laughter due to its absurdity.

plainly foolish

Simplifies the phrase, focusing on the lack of wisdom or good sense.

utterly nonsensical

Shifts the focus from ridiculousness to a complete lack of meaning or coherence.

manifestly untrue

Emphasizes the falseness or lack of truth in a statement or situation, rather than its ridiculousness.

laughably naive

Highlights the innocence and lack of awareness contributing to the ridiculousness.

beyond belief

Indicates that something is so outlandish that it is difficult to accept as true.

FAQs

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

You can use "utterly ridiculous" to describe something you find absurd or unbelievable, for example: "The suggestion that I would agree to that is "utterly ridiculous"."

What can I say instead of "utterly ridiculous"?

You can use alternatives like "completely absurd", "totally ludicrous", or "absolutely preposterous" depending on the context.

Is "utterly ridiculous" a formal expression?

No, "utterly ridiculous" is generally considered an informal expression. In more formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "patently absurd" or "manifestly untrue".

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

"Utterly ridiculous" implies a high degree of absurdity or foolishness, while "slightly ridiculous" suggests something is only somewhat absurd or amusingly odd. The word "utterly" intensifies the degree of ridiculousness.