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utter

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word utter distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of utter are air, broach, express, vent, and voice. While all these words mean "to make known what one thinks or feels," utter implies the use of the voice not necessarily in articulate speech.

utter a groan

When is air a more appropriate choice than utter?

In some situations, the words air and utter are roughly equivalent. However, air implies an exposing or parading of one's views often in order to gain relief or sympathy or attention.

publicly airing their differences

In what contexts can broach take the place of utter?

The synonyms broach and utter are sometimes interchangeable, but broach adds the implication of disclosing for the first time something long thought over or reserved for a suitable occasion.

broached the subject of a divorce

Where would express be a reasonable alternative to utter?

The words express and utter are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, express suggests an impulse to reveal in words, gestures, actions, or what one creates or produces.

expressed her feelings in music

When might vent be a better fit than utter?

While in some cases nearly identical to utter, vent stresses a strong inner compulsion to express especially in words.

a tirade venting his frustration

When would voice be a good substitute for utter?

The meanings of voice and utter largely overlap; however, voice does not necessarily imply vocal utterance but does imply expression or formulation in words.

an editorial voicing their concerns

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of utter
Adjective
From Africa to Ukraine, the rise and fall of the Wagner Group and its leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, was marked by theatrical violence, the seizure of resources, and an utter lack of accountability. Joshua Hammer, The New York Review of Books, 18 Sep. 2025 The Natural is, to the core, a movie that reveres the utter Americana of historical baseball, with its lo-fi Dust Bowl aesthetics that heavily reference Arthurian legend. K. Austin Collins, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
My patients began to make different health choices and to question their prior ones almost as soon as the words were uttered. Edith Bracho-Sanchez, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025 And with that, McAfee uttered the phrase that has rung hollow as the Hurricanes chase a national title that has eluded them since 2001 for the third time during the three-hour pregame show. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for utter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for utter
Adjective
  • The sheer expanse of places to see in Japan is astounding.
    Kristin Braswell, AFAR Media, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Sources of succor and disquiet—currents which Winter has ridden in life and art—each female elder is a maternal presence who offers complementary textures to the tapestry Winter has woven from threads of experience and sheer imagination.
    Guillermo Perez, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The safety and satisfaction of our customers remain our utmost concern.
    News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • For these reasons, a reputable company with ethical and safe sourcing is of utmost importance.
    Essence, Essence, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • There were whispered mentions of prison, alcoholism, domestic abuse.
    Rachel Linden, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Samira, a 19-year-old student from Kabul, was in a religious education class on Wednesday when a cleaner entered the room and whispered something to her teacher, who ran out, and then came back minutes later, beaming with her phone.
    Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • An Elanco spokesperson said the company will add public amenities next to the headquarters that neighbors can enjoy, such as a waterfront trail.
    Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Education Department spokeswoman Rachel Starks said the total number of student awards listed in the report is not final.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Get Down with Dinos For fans of quirky roadside attractions, a visit to Dinosaur Land in nearby White Post is an absolute must.
    Erin Gifford, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Achieving a 34 percent reduction in absolute emissions from the company’s FY20 baseline.
    Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • People with lung conditions can’t live without them, but the researchers noted some might be able to switch to an alternative inhaler that emits fewer problematic propellants.
    Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2025
  • White dwarfs will cool to become black dwarfs after about 1014 years or so, and the even smaller neutron stars will cease to emit visible light after around 1015-1016 years.
    Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Actions speak louder than words, though, and Breslow’s actions last offseason put the Red Sox in a better spot to contend.
    Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • In the series’ final chapters, Gein is also shown speaking to Jorgensen, in a fantastical conversation, via ham radio while in prison.
    Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • New signals, crosswalks and bike infrastructure could be complete by 2026.
    Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Why does one hard working fan have to buy seven different versions of an album instead of just having all of the songs be on one complete album?
    Bryan West, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Utter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/utter. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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