utterly unbelievable

USAGE SUMMARY

"utterly unbelievable" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is so extraordinary or implausible that it is hard to accept as true. An example: "The magician's final trick was utterly unbelievable, leaving the audience in awe." Alternative expressions include "completely incredible" and "totally implausible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

It still seems utterly unbelievable.

Independent

It is utterly unbelievable," he said.

The Guardian

Liverpool didn't quite deserve that, in my view, but they've won it in freakish, utterly unbelievable fashion.

The Guardian - Sport

Their supposedly realistic characters would have seemed utterly unbelievable if they had ignored such an all-consuming tragedy.

The New York Times - Arts

He is utterly unbelievable, but he's a great character who always leaves the bad guys either very sorry for themselves or very dead.

The Guardian - Books

The plot bumbled along and I found very little actually happened, until the end when it all spiralled out of control and became utterly unbelievable; the balance seemed completely wrong.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Absolutely unbelievable.

The Guardian - Sport

It was absolutely unbelievable.

Cornell University

Michaels accused Al Davis of getting the officials to inspect Turner's kicking shoes before a field goal attempt to see if they contained illegal metal plates, and called the Oakland team official "a man who has never contributed anything to football", to which Davis responded, "It's utterly ridiculous, unbelievable.

Wikipedia

To a Westerner tourist, this nomadic lifestyle is utterly romantic and unbelievable all at once, and Three Camel Lodge, despite its many comforts, does a good job at showcasing this simple, pristine way of life.

Forbes

The murder of Anna Politkovskaya was at once unbelievable and utterly expected.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with abstract nouns like "spectacle", "fashion", "indiscipline" or "odds" to maximize its impact.

Common error

Avoid combining multiple intensifiers such as "very utterly unbelievable". Since "utterly" already signifies the maximum degree, adding "very" or "extremely" creates a redundant and grammatically awkward construction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly unbelievable" functions as a highly emphatic adjective phrase where the adverb "utterly" acts as an intensifier for the adjective "unbelievable". According to Ludwig, it is used to modify nouns or appear as a predicate adjective to express a total lack of credibility or extreme amazement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Arts & Literature

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "utterly unbelievable" is a powerful tool in the English language for expressing a high degree of shock, amazement or skepticism. Through the analysis provided by Ludwig, we can see that it is a common and grammatically correct expression favored by elite publications like The New York Times and The Guardian. It serves as an absolute intensifier, leaving no room for partial belief. Whether used to critique a plot in a film review or to express disbelief at a political turn of events, it remains a reliable choice for writers seeking to add emotional depth and emphasis to their work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely unbelievable

Uses a different intensifier that is often seen as more emphatic in spoken English

completely unbelievable

Focuses on the totality of the lack of belief

totally unbelievable

Slightly more informal but carries the same semantic weight

entirely unbelievable

Emphasizes that no part of the subject is credible

utterly incredible

Swaps the adjective for a synonym that can also imply a positive connotation of amazement

wholly unbelievable

A more formal variant often found in literary or academic contexts

beyond belief

Uses a prepositional phrase to express an even higher degree of impossibility

thoroughly unbelievable

Suggests a deep or comprehensive lack of credibility

simply unbelievable

Downplays the intensifier for a more matter-of-fact tone of shock

perfectly unbelievable

Often used sarcastically to describe a situation that is absurdly unlikely

FAQs

How do I use "utterly unbelievable" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a situation that defies logic, such as: "The athlete's comeback after such a severe injury was <a href="/s/utterly+unbelievable" target="_blank" rel="alternative">utterly unbelievable."

What is a more formal alternative to "utterly unbelievable"?

In formal or academic contexts, you might prefer "<a href="/s/wholly+implausible" target="_blank" rel="alternative">wholly implausible" or "<a href="/s/entirely+without+merit" target="_blank" rel="alternative">entirely without merit" depending on the specific meaning.

Can "utterly unbelievable" be used in a positive way?

Yes, while often used for negative or absurd situations, it can describe something positive that is simply too good to be true, like an "<a href="/s/utterly+unbelievable+spectacle" target="_blank" rel="alternative">utterly unbelievable spectacle" of art or nature.

What is the difference between "utterly" and "absolutely"?

While often interchangeable, "<a href="/s/utterly" target="_blank" rel="alternative">utterly" is sometimes associated with more negative or serious contexts, whereas "<a href="/s/absolutely" target="_blank" rel="alternative">absolutely" is a versatile intensifier used across all emotional ranges.