devoid of desire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devoid of desire" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of lacking any wishes or longings, often in a philosophical or emotional context. Example: "After years of disappointment, he felt utterly devoid of desire for anything in life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Little is established, either, about why women may be somewhat more likely to become devoid of desire as they get deeper into middle age — and even this tendency itself is far from proven and is contradicted by some data.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Robert Maxwell was a man of monstrous ego, devoid of any desire to serve the greater good".

The Guardian - Sport

Though asexuals (or "aces") are often seen as individuals who are devoid of sexual desire, incapable of sexual arousal and averse to interpersonal intimacy, both researchers and asexuals alike say these are largely misconceptions.

Huffington Post

There is certainly no evidence for the Church's unspoken presumption that he was either heterosexual or devoid of carnal desires.

Independent

On the other hand, it's even less plausible that anyone, regardless of gender identification or professional status, would be utterly devoid of sexual desires or, for that matter, a private life.

The New Yorker

The second is a blocking matrix that produces a so-called noise reference signal that is devoid of the desired source signal.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

At low bit rates, the reference signal, which forms the input to the adaptive interference canceller, is no longer devoid of the desired signal.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

The blocking matrix subtracts the input signals resulting in a reference signal that is devoid of the desired signal, and forms the input to the adaptive interference canceller.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

The average Waitrose shopper is devoid of ambition and rinsed of desire.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their insistence on describing the events in Egypt as a "coup" is not devoid of ignorance or the desire to harm Egypt as a country, knowing that the US Congress is bound by law to discontinue any support to Egypt if what happened there really was a "coup".

Huffington Post

Protecting the Environment Though his business pursuits were hardly devoid of passion, it was his desire to simultaneously protect the wonders of nature while providing greater access to them that aroused his greatest enthusiasm.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "devoid of desire" to describe a profound lack of motivation or longing, especially in contexts where emotional or spiritual emptiness is being conveyed. It adds a layer of depth beyond simply saying someone lacks interest.

Common error

Avoid using "devoid of desire" in everyday situations where simpler phrases like "not interested" or "unmotivated" would suffice. The phrase carries a strong, somewhat literary tone that can sound overly dramatic in casual conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devoid of desire" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe its state. As Ludwig AI shows, it's used to indicate a complete absence of longing or motivation. It is often part of a more complex sentence structure.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "devoid of desire" is a grammatically sound adjectival phrase used to express a complete lack of longing or motivation. According to Ludwig AI, it is relatively rare but carries significant weight, often appearing in news, media, and scientific contexts to convey emotional emptiness or apathy. While grammatically correct, it's best suited for formal or descriptive writing where a strong, somewhat literary tone is appropriate. When in doubt, simpler alternatives like "lacking desire" or "unmotivated" may be more suitable for casual contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking any desire

Replaces "devoid of" with "lacking any", which is a more direct and common phrasing.

without desire

Uses a simpler construction to convey the absence of desire.

free from desire

Emphasizes liberation from desire, rather than a simple absence.

unmotivated

Focuses on the lack of motivation stemming from the absence of desire.

apathetic

Indicates a state of indifference and lack of emotion, including desire.

indifferent

Highlights a lack of interest or concern, related to a lack of desire.

passionless

Emphasizes the absence of passion, which can be closely linked to desire.

without ambition

Focuses on the absence of ambition, a specific type of desire for achievement.

lacking enthusiasm

Highlights the absence of enthusiasm, often driven by desire.

disinterested

Indicates a lack of interest, which can stem from a lack of desire.

FAQs

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

You can use "devoid of desire" to describe a character's emotional state, a lack of ambition, or a feeling of emptiness. For example, "After years of disappointment, he felt utterly devoid of desire for anything in life."

What are some alternatives to "devoid of desire"?

Some alternatives include "lacking any desire", "without desire", "free from desire", or "unmotivated", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

"Lacking desire" is more straightforward and common, while "devoid of desire" is more formal and emphasizes a complete absence. The best choice depends on the tone and context of your writing.

What does it mean when someone is described as "devoid of desire"?

It suggests that the person lacks any strong wants, needs, or ambitions. It implies a state of emotional or spiritual emptiness where normal motivations are absent.