utterly ruinous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly ruinous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that causes complete destruction or significant negative impact. Example: "The financial mismanagement of the company proved to be utterly ruinous, leading to its eventual bankruptcy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Either independence or fiscal autonomy (the SNP's next-best option) would be utterly ruinous.

The Economist

Mr Raissi's solicitor, Jules Carey, said: "The allegations of terrorism were utterly ruinous to him both personally and professionally.

Independent

If, as supporters believe, this is a new avenue for evangelical campaigning, it is an utterly ruinous one.

The Economist

How utterly ruinous that miss proved to be.

BBC

Addiction's effects can be utterly ruinous, and public health officials across the country are speaking up in one accord: We have got to do something to put an end to this healthcare disaster.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

And the quiet, deeply scarring, utterly exhausting seven-year burden of being disgusted by a ruinous and corrupt administration quieted briefly last night in Iowa.

Huffington Post

The Moggites, never anything but utterly predictable, have jeeringly dismissed the forecasts that a no-deal Brexit would have a ruinous impact.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet now the rate of new infections seems to be slowing (the statistics are so unreliable that it is hard to say for sure), and the plague seems less threatening.The same sort of ambiguity about whether the woe is just beginning or petering out, will be mercifully brief or utterly ruinous clouds the economic news too.

The Economist

Ruinous friends?

The New Yorker

"And financially ruinous".

The New Yorker

The Way We Live When the famous turn it into self-serving media fodder, it sets a ruinous example to the rest of us Frank Zimmerman has been called everything from a 'sick saddo' to 'utterly disgusting' and 'evil'evil

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly ruinous" to describe situations where the consequences are not only destructive but also complete and irreversible, adding a layer of intensity to your description.

Common error

Reserve "utterly ruinous" for formal writing or situations where a strong, impactful expression is necessary. In casual conversation, consider using more common synonyms like "completely devastating" or "totally destructive".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly ruinous" functions primarily as a compound adjective, modifying a noun to describe something as being completely destructive or devastating. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct. Examples show it describing situations with severe negative consequences.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "utterly ruinous" is a grammatically correct phrase functioning as a compound adjective to describe something as completely destructive. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While relatively rare, it effectively conveys the catastrophic nature of a situation and is most commonly found in news and media contexts. Alternatives such as "completely devastating" or "totally destructive" offer similar meanings but may be more suitable for informal contexts. Use "utterly ruinous" when you need to emphasize the complete and irreversible devastation of something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly devastating

Swaps "ruinous" for "devastating", maintaining the intensity and completeness.

completely devastating

Replaces "utterly ruinous" with a more common and direct expression of complete devastation.

absolutely devastating

Similar to "completely devastating", but uses "absolutely" for emphasis, mirroring the "utterly" in the original phrase.

totally destructive

Emphasizes the destructive aspect, similar to "utterly ruinous", but using different adjectives.

catastrophically damaging

Highlights the catastrophic and damaging nature of the situation, akin to being "utterly ruinous".

completely catastrophic

Emphasizes the disastrous and far-reaching consequences, similarly to "utterly ruinous".

thoroughly destructive

Indicates a complete and comprehensive level of destruction.

irretrievably destructive

Focuses on the irreparable nature of the destruction, suggesting a point of no return.

entirely destructive

Highlights the exhaustive and complete nature of the destruction, similar to the original phrase.

fatally damaging

Implies that the damage is so severe it leads to failure or death, mirroring the "ruinous" aspect.

FAQs

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

You can use "utterly ruinous" to describe something that causes complete destruction or significant negative impact. For example, "The financial mismanagement of the company proved to be utterly ruinous, leading to its eventual bankruptcy."

What can I say instead of "utterly ruinous"?

You can use alternatives like "completely devastating", "totally destructive", or "absolutely devastating" depending on the context.

Is "utterly ruinous" a formal expression?

Yes, "utterly ruinous" is a relatively formal expression. While grammatically correct, it is less common in everyday speech and more suited to formal writing or contexts where a strong and impactful description is desired.

What is the difference between "utterly ruinous" and "completely ruinous"?

Both phrases convey a similar meaning, but "utterly ruinous" carries a slightly stronger emphasis on the totality and irreversibility of the destruction compared to "completely ruinous".