Complete vs. Utter

Attribute	Complete	Utter
Definition	Having all necessary parts or elements; entire	Used for emphasis to indicate that something is total or absolute
Synonyms	Total, whole, full	Absolute, sheer, downright
Usage	Commonly used in everyday language	Less common and more emphatic
Intensifier	Emphasizes the entirety or completeness of something	Emphasizes the extremity or absoluteness of something

Definition

Complete and utter are two adjectives that are often used together to emphasize the intensity of a situation or feeling. The word complete means having all necessary parts or elements, while utter means absolute or total. When used together, they create a sense of finality or extremity.

Usage

Complete is a more commonly used word in everyday language, often used to describe tasks that have been finished or things that are whole. Utter, on the other hand, is less frequently used and tends to convey a stronger sense of intensity or extremity. When used together, complete and utter create a powerful emphasis on the situation being described.

Intensity

One key difference between complete and utter is the level of intensity they convey. Complete implies that something is finished or whole, while utter adds a sense of absolute finality. For example, saying "complete silence" suggests that there is no noise, while saying "utter silence" implies a deeper level of quietness.

Emphasis

When used together, complete and utter can be a powerful tool for emphasizing a point or feeling. For example, saying "complete and utter chaos" paints a vivid picture of a situation that is not only disordered but also completely out of control. The use of both words together creates a sense of extremity that cannot be achieved with just one word alone.

Common Phrases

There are several common phrases that use the combination of complete and utter to convey a specific meaning. Some examples include:

• Complete and utter disbelief
• Complete and utter failure
• Complete and utter nonsense

Alternatives

While complete and utter are often used together for emphasis, there are alternative phrases that can convey a similar meaning. For example, instead of saying "complete and utter chaos," one could say "total chaos" or "absolute chaos." These phrases may not have the same level of intensity as complete and utter, but they can still convey a sense of extremity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, complete and utter are two adjectives that, when used together, create a powerful emphasis on a situation or feeling. While complete implies that something is finished or whole, utter adds a sense of absolute finality. Together, they can convey a level of intensity and extremity that cannot be achieved with just one word alone.