utter 1 of 2

Definition of utternext

utter

2 of 2

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
The battle that follows — a muddy and mean scrum — is even more ghastly, partly for its utter pointlessness. ABC News, 17 June 2026 All to the utter indifference of a Hollywood that hadn’t even bothered to hear of him. Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 17 June 2026
Verb
Diplomats are paid to lie for their country, but this may be the greatest and most obvious falsehood ever uttered by a diplomat not named Sergey Lavrov. Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 19 June 2026 Chen, who is currently being held on $100,000 bail in the Clark County Detention Center, has been charged with five felony counts of bigamy and two counts of intent to utter a fictitious bill/note/check, per FOX5. Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for utter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for utter
Adjective
  • This sheer shade is a light and delicate pink with a hint of beige.
    Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 27 June 2026
  • The sheer number of deals available can make shopping overwhelming for even the savviest shoppers.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • So why did Ryan bother with Hunter (Jeremy Blewitt) when Naim was his utmost desire?
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 22 June 2026
  • Hospital staff were amazing and did the utmost to help, but ultimately nothing could be done despite their best efforts.
    Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • The toys clanked, the players held their breath and onlookers whispered strategies on the sidelines – until a winner was crowned.
    Chris Lau, CNN Money, 24 June 2026
  • The lyrics are both whispered and nearly shouted.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 21 June 2026
Verb
  • DeKalb County's housing chief, Alan Ferguson, said this is an example of an affordable senior apartment project.
    Tia Mitchell, AJC.com, 29 June 2026
  • The point of the Top 10 lists, Chandrasekaran said, is to steer young adults to employers that are actively hiring recent graduates into jobs that can seed meaningful careers.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 29 June 2026
Adjective
  • This is them on their absolute best behavior.
    Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
  • Sučić scored in the 31st minute for Croatia on an absolute rocket from outside the box for his second career international goal.
    CBS News, CBS News, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • All smartphones sold in the country are required to emit a shutter sound when taking photos and videos, an industry measure designed to deter covert photography.
    Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 22 June 2026
  • The sun also emits two other types of UV light – UVC (200-280 nm) and vacuum UV (100-200 nm) – but these are stopped by the atmosphere, so sunscreens do not typically need to be able to block them.
    Guy German, Fortune, 21 June 2026
Verb
  • While Blutinger was speaking, history professor Jonathan Roth attempted to take video of the protesters in the hallway and got into a physical altercation with a female student who tried to block him from doing so.
    Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
  • The two spoke during a roundtable meeting in Thornton hosted by the America First Policy Institute.
    Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 30 June 2026
Adjective
  • My son-in-law feels blindsided, as my daughter is asking for a complete break.
    R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2026
  • The vast Lake Tahoe estate of Beach Boys co-founder Mike Love, complete with a theater, wine tasting room, ice-skating rink and sauna, could be yours — for the small price of $43 million.
    Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Utter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/utter. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.

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