devoid of compassion

USAGE SUMMARY

"devoid of compassion" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a person, situation, or thing that lacks any feeling or kindness. For example, "The man's cold words were devoid of any compassion for his suffering child."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Most of all, the Republican platform is devoid of compassion.

The Guardian - Opinion

Pathological in his need for adoration, but not entirely devoid of compassion.

The Guardian - Opinion

This change is devoid of compassion and shows how little Michael Gove understands the real world.

The Guardian

But he lamented a modern political culture that he described as filled with vitriol and devoid of compassion.

The New York Times

He said he found it "confusing and confused, incoherent, overly artistic but cold, not free of hatred and devoid of compassion".

The New York Times

A Web site titled Quinn Hates Animals features pictures of her chosen to make her look so devoid of compassion that you imagine her denying a cool bowl of water to a panting retriever.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

A life devoid of the compassion, love and awe that I feel for nature must be a miserable one.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet, as The Human Rights Watch noted in a widely-publicized report earlier this week, robot soldiers would also be utterly devoid of human compassion, and could easily wreak unprecedented devastation in the hands of a Stalin or Pol Pot.

The New Yorker

As the poet Katy Lederer writes in her memoir, "Poker Face: A Girlhood Among Gamblers," the key to being a good poker player is managing to "empathize with your opponents while remaining devoid of all compassion".

The New York Times - Books

In the book, to be published by Pantheon in February, the Master presides over a universe devoid of culture or compassion.

The New York Times - Style

Trump is too stunted, too self-involved, too devoid of empathy and compassion to lead this nation.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance the impact, use this phrase when contrasting it with situations where compassion would be expected or is notably absent.

Common error

Avoid using "devoid of compassion" excessively in emotionally charged writing; overuse can diminish its impact. Instead, vary your language with synonyms like "lacking compassion" or "heartless" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devoid of compassion" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun by indicating the absence of compassion. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "devoid of compassion" is a powerful way to express the absence of empathy or kindness. It is grammatically correct and commonly used, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, where it often serves to critique actions or policies deemed inhumane. While "devoid of compassion" is a strong and effective phrase, it is important to use it judiciously and provide concrete examples to support your claims, especially in emotionally charged contexts. Consider using synonyms like "lacking compassion" or "heartless" to avoid overuse and maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking compassion

Replaces "devoid of" with "lacking", a direct synonym indicating absence.

without compassion

Uses "without" to convey the absence of compassion, offering a slightly simpler structure.

uncompassionate

Condenses the phrase into a single adjective, emphasizing the lack of compassion as a character trait.

heartless

Employs a more emotive and direct adjective to describe the absence of compassion.

callous

Suggests a hardened insensitivity, implying a deliberate disregard for others' suffering.

unsympathetic

Focuses on the lack of understanding or sharing of another's feelings.

unfeeling

Highlights the absence of emotion or sensitivity towards others.

inhuman

Implies a lack of the qualities typically associated with human kindness and empathy.

merciless

Emphasizes the absence of forgiveness or leniency, particularly in situations where it might be expected.

pitiless

Highlights the lack of pity or sorrow for the suffering of others.

FAQs

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

You can use "devoid of compassion" to describe actions, policies, or even systems that lack empathy or kindness. For example, "The company's decision to lay off employees without notice was "devoid of compassion"."

What are some alternatives to saying "devoid of compassion"?

Some alternatives to "devoid of compassion" include "lacking compassion", "without compassion", "uncompassionate", and "heartless". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "lacking compassion" or "devoid of compassion"?

"Lacking compassion" and "devoid of compassion" are very similar in meaning and can often be used interchangeably. "Devoid of" might sound slightly more formal or emphatic, but both are grammatically correct and widely understood.

What's the difference between "devoid of compassion" and "absence of compassion"?

"Devoid of compassion" emphasizes the complete lack of compassion, suggesting something that should be present is entirely missing. "Absence of compassion" is a more neutral statement simply indicating that compassion is not present. The former has a stronger emotional charge.