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

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 seafaring masterpiece sinks every other shark movie in its utter perfection. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026 Still, seek balance, not utter seclusion. Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
Gonzalez faces two counts of fraud exceeding $50,000, two counts of grand theft, 61 counts of uttering false instruments and 59 counts of embezzlement, according to the sheriff’s office. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2026 Do not utter the word pizza or any of the aforementioned ingredients. Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for utter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for utter
Adjective
  • Lahav black ballgown with sheer black veil and beaded appliqués throughout.
    Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
  • And the sheer scale is unprecedented.
    ABC News, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Austria 's health minister told parents, kindergartens and day care centers to use utmost caution when feeding young children HiPP.
    ABC News, ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Austria’s health minister told parents, kindergartens and day care centers to use utmost caution when feeding young children HiPP.
    Karel Janicek, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • July 23 – August 22 The horizon is whispering your next lesson.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Jones whispered for me and Dew to step away from the door.
    Josh Owens, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The high temperature runs about five to 10 degrees below average for Patriots Day, the meteorologist said.
    Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Good Jobs First said in most cases, states are failing to disclose incentives in violation of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, a private organization that sets financial reporting standards for state and local governments.
    Kevin Hardy, Baltimore Sun, 20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Arte Moreno and his then team president, John Carpino, were the absolute leaders in advocating that MLB needed to be as financially fan friendly as possible.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
  • The growth was like an absolute vertical learning curve.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Researchers in the United States have proposed a completely new kind of laser—one that emits not light, but neutrinos.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 20 Apr. 2026
  • The catastrophe caused highly radioactive material to emit across portions of Europe.
    Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Just two months ago, multi-generation cattle rancher Joe Fischer spoke about the pressures of keeping his operation running.
    Conor McGill, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
  • Today, however, parents can receive updates immediately and respond just as quickly — sometimes before even speaking with their child.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • No patio is complete without some decorative accessories, according to Kerith Flynn, the founder of Margali & Flynn Designs.
    Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 19 Apr. 2026
  • On the other end, the Rockets were a complete mess, dissolving in two whining technical fouls in the third quarter that sealed their fate.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Utter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/utter. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.

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