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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
Two types of cheeses, hot pork sausage, and mini croissants combine in one casserole dish full of utter Brunch perfection. Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2025 Conservatives saw all this as the devolution of post-Watts rioting into utter lawlessness. Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
Those who utter them must know that no one believes them. Hussein Agha, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025 All that talk about hunger, coupled with Chicago scoring touchdowns on four of its first five possessions, led usually mute linebacker Matt Milano to utter his first words of the series. Tim Graham, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for utter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for utter
Adjective
  • Maple and Francesca each opted for dresses, with the former donning a semi-sheer black number and the latter choosing a silky brown slip dress matching her father's color palette.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
  • This trend includes smaller, high-end homes and with buyers favoring places that offer meaningful features over sheer size or clout.
    Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • More Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images Hill missed time during training camp with a nagging injury, a time when reps are of the utmost importance to regain the trust of his quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
    Hunter Mulholland, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
  • In these cases, where each of you have a strong leg to stand on, conflict resolution requires the utmost dedication to helping each other understand, while also prioritizing what’s best for the relationship as a whole.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Made up of a cozy microfiber fabric shell with polyester filling, the bedspread is ultra breathable for all-season use, skin friendly, and whisper quiet for a less disruptive night’s sleep.
    Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Originally from Ohio, Howard would whisper-speak his lectures to a crowded room, describing with fatigued superiority people (including his family) who couldn’t properly appreciate Nijinsky.
    Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Despite staff layoffs affecting about 300 employees, industry analysts say Condé Nast still faces high pressure to continue restructuring and invest in digital innovation to survive long term headwinds.
    Gemma Allen, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025
  • General maintenance takes place every four years and was last carried out in 2022, Bogas said, adding that weekly and monthly maintenance and daily inspections are also carried out.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Open spaces, huge rooms, and an absolute lack of privacy are all the rage.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025
  • After a review, the ACIP decided to focus first on getting the vaccine to people at the absolute highest risk, people 65 and up, a recommendation ultimately accepted by the CDC.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Carbon is still emitted from the tailpipe of a car running on the fuel, but since pre-existing carbon was used to create the fuel in the first place, no more is being created or added to the environment, hence the claim of sustainability.
    Alistair Charlton, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Oxygen can produce green or red, while nitrogen emits blue or purplish hues.
    Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In addition to testimony about Tammy's physical health, Emma also spoke about her father's religious beliefs, saying that her mother shared them.
    Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The company also spoke about NVLink Fusion, a rack-scale scale up fabric, shown in concept below.
    Thomas Coughlin, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Slickers County Ice Cream No trip to Prince Edward County is complete without a stop at this beloved small-batch ice cream shop.
    Alexandra Emanuelli, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025
  • At that point, a new Border War chapter was all but complete, and this one came with huge moments, plot twists, momentum swings, the works.
    Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Utter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/utter. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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