devoid of hope

USAGE SUMMARY

"devoid of hope" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means lacking or completely without hope. You can use it to describe a situation or a person who is completely hopeless. Example: The refugees were living in a camp devoid of hope, with no prospect of returning to their homes and no support from the outside world.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

"But it wasn't devoid of hope".

The New York Times

A society devoid of hope reeks of decay.

The Guardian - Film

You will grow up cynical and devoid of hope, unable to love or be loved.

The New York Times - Arts

The outlook for workers who haven't finished college is uncertain, but not devoid of hope.

The New York Times

But the refugees are people devoid of hope and left only with anger.

The Guardian - Opinion

I'm not sure I've ever known England, their players, pundits, and public, seem so devoid of hope.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Taken together, these two shows create a politics of despair because, in their different ways, they portray a world devoid of any hope for social and economic change.

The Guardian - Opinion

Men such as Abdullah Fasi, an engineering student who had just graduated and was in a hurry to get out of a country he regarded as devoid of all hope until he found himself outside the Katiba stoning Gaddafi's soldiers.

The Guardian

A remorseless polemic, utterly devoid of false hope but with a narrative drive that in a mature society would serve as a table turner in the barren temples of the law and its enforcers - Gavin Greenwood Richard Elliott couldn't stand it any more.

The Guardian

The quivering trees, devoid of leaves and hope, reflect my state of mind.

The New Yorker

This minority of young people who are otherwise unable to cope have very few positive role models in schools and for them all the evidence points to a future devoid of opportunity and hope.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "devoid of hope", ensure that the context clearly supports such a strong assertion. Overuse can diminish its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "devoid of hope" when there's still a possibility of a positive outcome, however slim. Opt for phrases like "lacking in hope" or "not entirely hopeful" to better reflect the nuanced situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devoid of hope" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating that the noun lacks any element of hope. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English to describe situations or individuals lacking any optimism.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

17%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

7%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "devoid of hope" is a powerful descriptor used to convey a complete lack of optimism or positive expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English, frequently employed in News & Media, as well as Formal & Business contexts. While similar phrases like "without hope" and "lacking hope" exist, "devoid of hope" emphasizes a more profound absence. When using this phrase, ensure that the context genuinely warrants such a strong depiction of hopelessness. While grammatically sound and widely understood, be mindful of overstating circumstances when a more nuanced expression would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without hope

Direct synonym, replacing 'devoid' with 'without'.

lacking hope

Uses 'lacking' instead of 'devoid', implying an absence of hope.

bereft of hope

Replaces 'devoid' with 'bereft', suggesting a sense of loss.

utterly hopeless

Adds emphasis with 'utterly' to highlight the complete absence of hope.

hopeless

A single adjective conveying the same meaning.

despairing

Implies a state of deep sadness due to the absence of hope.

in despair

Expresses a state of hopelessness and deep sadness.

pessimistic

Describes a general inclination towards negative outcomes, similar to lacking hope.

without any prospect

Focuses on the absence of future possibilities, stemming from a lack of hope.

showing no glimmer of hope

Emphasizes the complete absence of any positive indication or expectation.

FAQs

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

You can use "devoid of hope" to describe situations or people who have lost all optimism. For example, "The refugee camp was a place "devoid of hope", with no prospect of a better future".

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

Alternatives include "without hope", "lacking hope", or "utterly hopeless". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "devoid of hope" or "without hope"?

"Devoid of hope" and "without hope" are very similar. "Devoid of hope" emphasizes a complete absence, while "without hope" is slightly more general. The choice depends on the desired level of emphasis.

What does "devoid of hope" imply about a person or situation?

Saying someone or something is "devoid of hope" suggests that they have reached a point where they believe there is no possibility of improvement or positive change, leading to significant despair and resignation.