devoid of confidence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devoid of confidence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of lacking self-assurance or certainty in oneself or one's abilities. Example: "After receiving the harsh feedback, she felt completely devoid of confidence in her presentation skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

He boosted morale in a squad devoid of confidence and the results duly followed.

The Guardian - Sport

There are no two teams more devoid of confidence in the league.

The Guardian - Sport

That was too easy, and Norwich are looking completely devoid of confidence.

The Guardian - Sport

Run-outs always seem to happen to sides that are devoid of confidence, unsure of themselves and their partners.

The Guardian - Sport

Nonetheless, there were large swathes of the match when the team in red looked strangely devoid of confidence.

The Guardian - Sport

Corrupt, patchily trained and equipped, often abysmally led and devoid of confidence, most army units cannot operate above platoon-size.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

You can't say that to me.'" Obviously, Davis isn't totally devoid of self-confidence.

The Guardian

Spinks continued to look totally devoid of self-confidence as the introductions began and he shuffled about his corner with the demeanour of a man hoping he would soon wake up and realise this was all just a terrible dream.

The Guardian - Sport

It often happens that I wake up completely devoid of self-confidence.

HuffPost

And with a smoldering confidence, devoid of the controversial chatter that served as a distracting soundtrack to seasons past, the surprising — and surprisingly quiet — Giants muscled their way to the Super Bowl.

The New York Times - Sports

Liverpool were ponderous going forward, short on confidence and devoid of the intensity that is the trademark of Rodgers' work.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a team or group, use "devoid of confidence" to highlight a systemic issue rather than individual failings. This can help frame the lack of confidence as a collective problem needing a strategic solution.

Common error

While "devoid of confidence" is a perfectly valid phrase, it can sound overly formal or dramatic in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "not confident" or "lacking confidence" when speaking or writing informally.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devoid of confidence" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a complete absence of self-assurance or belief. As exemplified by Ludwig, it often describes teams, individuals, or entities lacking certainty.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "devoid of confidence" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to describe a complete lack of self-assurance. According to Ludwig, the phrase is most frequently used in News & Media, Science and Encyclopedias contexts. It conveys a neutral, leaning to formal, register. While perfectly acceptable, it can be replaced with alternatives such as "lacking in confidence" or "without confidence" for simplicity or depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking in confidence

Replaces "devoid" with "lacking", which is a more common and slightly less formal synonym.

without confidence

Uses a simpler structure with "without" instead of "devoid of", making it more direct.

absent of confidence

Substitutes "devoid" with "absent", maintaining a formal tone while altering the vocabulary.

wanting in confidence

Employs "wanting" instead of "devoid", which is a less common but still valid alternative, imparting a slightly more literary feel.

bereft of confidence

Replaces "devoid" with "bereft", which is a synonym that conveys a sense of loss or deprivation.

short on confidence

Uses the idiom "short on" to indicate a deficiency, making it more conversational.

deficient in confidence

Offers a more technical or clinical feel by using "deficient" instead of "devoid".

low in confidence

Simplifies the structure and uses "low in" to describe a reduced amount of confidence.

feeling insecure

Shifts the focus to the subjective feeling of lacking confidence, providing a psychological perspective.

unsure of oneself

Expresses the lack of confidence by focusing on self-doubt and uncertainty.

FAQs

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

You can use "devoid of confidence" to describe someone or something lacking self-assurance or certainty. For example, "After the series of failures, the team was completely devoid of confidence".

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

Some alternatives include "lacking in confidence", "without confidence", or "feeling insecure", depending on the context.

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

"Lacking confidence" is more common and generally suitable for most contexts. "Devoid of confidence" is more formal and emphasizes a complete absence of confidence.

What does it mean to be "devoid of" something?

To be "devoid of" something means to be completely lacking or empty of it. In the case of "devoid of confidence", it means having no self-assurance or belief in one's abilities.