devoid of aspiration

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devoid of aspiration" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that lacks ambition, desire, or hope. Example: "The project was deemed devoid of aspiration, failing to inspire the team to strive for excellence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

By contrast, Boy in da Corner depicts a bleak world, devoid of aspiration: no one in their right minds would want to live there.

The Guardian - Music

The Moneys wound up in Lotus, "the worst place in the world, worse than any battlefield," according to Frank, to whom it appears, like its Greek counterpart, devoid of aspiration, cramped by suffocating indifference.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Tsar Peter (927 969), this book's protagonist, is all too frequently presented in modern scholarship as a weak ruler, devoid of any grander political aspirations, and focused on religious matters pious, but neglecting the vital interests of his subjects.

Columbia University

"Our military must regard combat capability as the criterion to meet in all its work and focus on how to win when it is called on". The speech was long on aspiration but largely devoid of concrete new policy measures.

The Washington Post

Surgical management of aspiration.

Nature

Managing identities of aspiration.

Harvard Business Review

Kant is said to have considered it his favorite among Scottish moral sense theories, but others have dismissed it as devoid of systematic argument, or derivative, in its theoretical aspirations, of Hume.

SEP

Aspirated fat tissue that is used for autologous fat transplantation is devoid of blood microvessels because these microvessels are destroyed during the aspiration, and removed during processing prior to its injection.

Plosone

Few choreographers have come close to equaling Balanchine, perhaps because they have failed to realize that his abstractions, though devoid of narrative, can be kinetic revelations of love, longing, fear, struggle and aspiration.

The New York Times - Arts

At their core is a love for the environment, community, humanity, and the planet - a love that trumps temporary financial gain and exposes the shallow aspirations of the destructive aspects of a capitalism devoid of compassion, heart, and accountability.

HuffPost

Devoid of social value.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "devoid of aspiration" to describe environments, situations, or characters that lack ambition or goals, emphasizing a sense of stagnation or lack of progress.

Common error

Avoid using "devoid of aspiration" in casual contexts. Simpler phrases like "lacking ambition" or "unmotivated" are more appropriate for informal communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devoid of aspiration" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, indicating a lack of ambition or desire. As Ludwig suggests, it paints a picture of something lacking in hope or drive. It is often used to describe environments or situations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "devoid of aspiration" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as indicated by Ludwig AI. It functions as an adjective phrase indicating a lack of ambition or desire. While relatively infrequent, its usage is appropriate in neutral and formal contexts, particularly within news media and academic writing. When simpler language is sought, alternatives such as "lacking ambition" or "unmotivated" may be suitable. As Ludwig examples illustrate, this phrase effectively conveys a sense of stagnation or lack of progress when describing environments, situations, or individuals.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking ambition

Replaces "devoid of" with a direct synonym "lacking", resulting in a more concise and common phrase.

without ambition

Emphasizes the absence of ambition in a straightforward manner.

bereft of ambition

Uses "bereft" for a more formal and emphatic lack of ambition.

lacking in aspiration

Slightly alters the prepositional phrase while retaining the core meaning.

without any aspiration

Adds emphasis to the complete absence of aspiration.

unambitious

Simplifies the phrase to a single adjective, focusing on the state of not being ambitious.

without hope or ambition

Expands the concept to include a lack of both hope and ambition.

spiritless

Conveys a lack of enthusiasm and drive, related to the absence of aspiration.

uninspired

Highlights a lack of motivation or creative spark.

aimless

Focuses on a lack of direction or purpose, stemming from the absence of aspiration.

FAQs

How can I use "devoid of aspiration" in a sentence?

You can use "devoid of aspiration" to describe a place, person, or situation that lacks ambition or hope. For example: "The town seemed "devoid of aspiration", with no new businesses or community projects."

What are some synonyms for "devoid of aspiration"?

Alternatives to "devoid of aspiration" include "lacking ambition", "without hope", or "unmotivated".

Is "devoid of aspiration" a formal or informal phrase?

"Devoid of aspiration" is a more formal phrase. In informal settings, simpler alternatives like "lacking ambition" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "devoid of aspiration" and "lacking aspiration"?

While both phrases convey a lack of ambition, "devoid of aspiration" is slightly more emphatic and formal than "lacking aspiration". They are often interchangeable, but "devoid of" can suggest a complete absence.