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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
Researchers believed that the trailing side of the moons would be darker than the leading side, but this assumption has been completely turned on its head thanks to findings from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope that illustrate the utter weirdness of Uranus. Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 11 June 2025 This is just the latest example of Trump’s utter disregard for the Constitution and the rule of law. Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 11 June 2025
Verb
The guard attempted to detain Neumeyer, who uttered profanities before turning and fleeing, leaving his backpack behind. Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2025 The Invisible Pipeline: From Raw Data To AI Responses Before an AI model utters a single word, there's a monumental effort to gather and process its training data. Jitender Jain, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for utter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for utter
Adjective
  • Felipe Cardenas: Due to sheer numbers and commitment, Boca’s ultras and travelling band of die-hard fans lit up the tournament.
    The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 28 June 2025
  • Her Dolce & Gabbana wedding dress was a mermaid-style lace gown with sheer long sleeves and a high neckline.
    Stephanie Giang-Paunon , Emily Trainham , Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • Frette bathrobes, pillow menus, spacious dressing rooms, walk-in wardrobes, free-standing bathtubs and Hermès amenities promise the utmost comfort.
    Natasha Amar, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • According to Aniston, focusing on crafting a better work-life balance for herself is of the utmost importance.
    Nicholas Rice, People.com, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • An afternoon beer lends a deeper sense of place when sipped in a brewpub housed in a Victorian-era building, its brick walls whispering stories of the town’s mining past.
    Visit Telluride, AFAR Media, 18 June 2025
  • Macron, seated beside Meloni in the round-table working session with other members of the summit, leaned to his right to whisper a message to Meloni, who stared intently ahead.
    Rachel Raposas, People.com, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • In addition to frequent password updates, individuals will need to be more alert about the increasing amount of malware hiding in illegitimate software, applications and other downloadable files, Valenzuela said.
    Dylan Butts, CNBC, 26 June 2025
  • An unknown gunman shot the boy while inside an apartment on the 6400 block of South Ingleside Avenue just after 6 p.m., police said.
    Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • Remaining calm under pressure is an absolute must here.
    Bill Rokos, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
  • However, the overall absolute risk is still small, according to the researchers.
    Shiv Sudhakar, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • Solar flares emit radiation, mostly in the form of ultraviolet light and X-rays, that can hurtle toward Earth at the speed of light.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 19 June 2025
  • This is significant, as China emits more carbon dioxide than any other country.
    Hersh Shefrin, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • Blinder said a shadow Fed chair would mean markets would have to make sense of two influential voices speaking about monetary policy at the same time, but offering potentially very different visions.
    Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 27 June 2025
  • Zoltan Istvan writes and speaks on transhumanism, artificial intelligence, and the future.
    Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • Platforms like LiveRamp's Data Marketplace allow retailers to license their first-party audiences to programmatic buyers without building a complete DSP/SSP stack.
    Kiri Masters, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
  • Williams, from Wisconsin, and Heckel, from Southern Cal, make for what could be a devastatingly complete UConn team.
    Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Utter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/utter. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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