defies the purpose

USAGE SUMMARY

"defies the purpose" can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to an action or behavior that goes against the intended purpose of something. For example, "The decision to cut off funding for the new library defies the purpose of encouraging learning in the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This is persuasive that the interpretation of § 15 now proposed defies the purpose and will of Congress.

Cornell University

SS: Yeah, which pretty much defies the purpose of the burqa, some might say.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

That would defy the purpose of Mr Putin's exercise.Yet the conflict cannot be frozen without a permanent Russian military presence and financial support for the rebels.

The Economist

America's valiant sons and daughters have been lost and injured in wars that defy the purpose for which they volunteered to serve and those sacrifices deserve a better response and a better policy.

Huffington Post

Palmer, who offered the motion to add work requirements, said the ACA transformed Medicaid into "a permanent welfare benefit" that defied the original purpose of the program.

The Washington Post

Inadequately planned settlements face many challenges (poor soil being one of them) and are likely to result in land turnover, conversion of land into pasture, land concentration among wealthier persons, invasion of areas by poorer people, and deforestation, defying the main purpose of agrarian reform.

Harvard University

It also defies the numbers.

The New York Times

Divorce defies the senses.

The New York Times - Magazine

It defies the imagination".

The Guardian

"He defies the odds.

The New York Times - Sports

"Their intimacy defies the laws of nature".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "defies the purpose", ensure the subject clearly contradicts the stated aim or objective it is supposed to support.

Common error

Avoid using "defies the purpose" when the action merely complicates or delays the intended outcome, rather than directly contradicting or negating it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "defies the purpose" functions as a verb phrase within a sentence, typically describing an action or decision that directly opposes or contradicts an established intention or goal. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it correctly conveys this meaning.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "defies the purpose" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon expression used to indicate a direct contradiction or undermining of a stated intention or goal. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage in written English. Predominantly found in news and academic contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for a range of situations. To enhance clarity and precision, ensure that the subject of the phrase demonstrably opposes the intended objective and is not just a minor inconvenience. When writing, remember that synonyms like "contradicts the objective" or "undermines the intention" can provide alternative options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contradicts the objective

This alternative replaces "purpose" with "objective", emphasizing the intended goal that is being contradicted.

undermines the intention

This phrase uses "undermines" to suggest a weakening effect on the original intention, rather than a direct defiance.

negates the rationale

This suggests the underlying reason or logical basis is being invalidated.

invalidates the aim

Using "invalidates" suggests that the action makes the intended aim no longer valid or achievable.

nullifies the goal

This implies that the action effectively cancels out or negates the intended goal.

flies in the face of the reason

A more idiomatic alternative, suggesting a direct and obvious contradiction of the underlying reason.

works against the intent

This phrase presents a sense of actively opposing the desired outcome.

is counterproductive to the aim

This suggests that the action actually hinders the achievement of the stated aim.

thwarts the design

This uses "thwarts" to imply a deliberate prevention of the intended design or plan.

runs contrary to the spirit

This option focuses on contradicting the underlying spirit or ethos rather than the explicit purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "defies the purpose" in a sentence?

You can use "defies the purpose" to describe an action or decision that contradicts or undermines the intended aim or objective. For instance, "Cutting funding for education "defies the purpose" of improving society."

What are some alternatives to "defies the purpose"?

You can use alternatives such as "contradicts the objective", "undermines the intention", or "negates the rationale" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "defy the purpose" instead of "defies the purpose"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "defies the purpose" for singular subjects (e.g., "the action") and "defy the purpose" for plural subjects (e.g., "these actions").

What's the difference between ""defies the purpose"" and "misses the point"?

"Defies the purpose" suggests a direct contradiction or undermining of a specific aim, while "misses the point" implies a failure to understand or grasp the central idea or issue.