devoid of guilt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devoid of guilt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who feels no remorse or responsibility for their actions. Example: "Despite the consequences of his actions, he remained devoid of guilt, believing he had done nothing wrong."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Not that "Listen Up Philip" is devoid of pain or bewilderment; rather, it's devoid of guilt.

The New Yorker

Largely devoid of guilt, empathy and love, they have casual and callous interpersonal and romantic relationships.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

They are devoid of feelings of guilt or remorse, a point readily admitted by Bundy himself.

Wikipedia

"That's the real violence," as Jesse Jackson put it: when children live in neighborhoods devoid of opportunity, under an assumption of guilt which robs them of the presumption of innocence and dims their view of what may be possible in their world and their lives.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the case of Gafni, evidence is mounting that he may be a sociopath, devoid of conscience and therefore the pangs of guilt with which most humans struggle.

HuffPost

Happily devoid of introspection, gloriously unencumbered by guilt, shame or doubt, Richard as a demagogue is unbeatable.

The Guardian

Thanksgiving was clunky and secular, devoid of mystery or ritual yet still reeking of guilt: you didn't get any presents, but you were supposed to be grateful for something.

The New York Times

House of guilt.

The New Yorker

Guilt and the provability of guilt do not always coincide.

The New York Times

For this purpose, we first develop a new version of guilt aversion called personal guilt aversion.

Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization

No signs of guilt".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character or entity that consistently shows no remorse, using "devoid of guilt" can powerfully convey their detachment and lack of moral compass.

Common error

Avoid using "devoid of guilt" when you simply mean someone hasn't been proven guilty. The phrase implies a complete absence of feeling, not just a lack of conviction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devoid of guilt" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe someone or something lacking feelings of culpability or remorse. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in characterizing individuals or situations lacking a sense of wrongdoing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "devoid of guilt" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a complete lack of remorse or culpability. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's relatively uncommon but correct, often found in news and media contexts. When writing, remember to consider the context and the specific nuance you want to convey. Using related phrases like "lacking guilt" or "free from guilt" might be more appropriate depending on the situation. Understanding when and how to use "devoid of guilt" can enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking guilt

A straightforward substitution, focusing on the absence of guilt.

free from guilt

Suggests a state of being unburdened by guilt.

without guilt

Similar to lacking guilt, but can also imply a sense of innocence.

feeling no guilt

Emphasizes the absence of a subjective experience of guilt.

unburdened by guilt

Highlights the relief of not carrying the weight of guilt.

innocent of guilt

Implies a lack of responsibility or culpability.

unencumbered by remorse

Focuses on the absence of regret or sorrow for wrongdoing.

conscienceless

Describes someone who lacks a moral compass and therefore feels no guilt.

remorseless

Indicates a lack of pity or compassion, often associated with a lack of guilt.

unrepentant

Suggests a refusal to acknowledge wrongdoing or feel sorry for it.

FAQs

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

You can use "devoid of guilt" to describe a person, action, or situation that lacks any sense of remorse or culpability. For example: "The sociopath was completely "devoid of guilt" about his crimes."

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

Alternatives include "lacking guilt", "free from guilt", "without guilt", or "feeling no guilt". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more accurate to say "devoid of guilt" or "lacking in guilt"?

"Devoid of guilt" suggests a complete absence of guilt, while "lacking in guilt" implies a deficiency or partial absence. The choice depends on whether you mean a total absence or just a reduced amount.

What is the difference between "devoid of guilt" and "innocent"?

"Devoid of guilt" describes a state of not experiencing the feeling of guilt, often implying a lack of conscience. "Innocent", on the other hand, means not guilty of a crime or wrongdoing, and it focuses on the lack of culpability from an external judgment rather than internal feelings.