devoid of irony

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devoid of irony" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe something that lacks any trace of irony or humorous understatement. It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as describing a statement, a situation, or a person's tone. Example 1: "The politician's speech was entirely devoid of irony, as he spoke about the country's economic struggles with utmost sincerity." Example 2: "Despite his reputation for sarcasm, his apology was completely devoid of irony and showed genuine remorse for his actions." Example 3: "The novel's plot was devoid of irony, focusing instead on serious themes and events that left little room for humor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Even so, I was surprised to find it deliciously devoid of irony, and deeply endearing.

The New York Times - Travel

It is also devoid of irony and wit, those crucial spices of mental life.

The New York Times - Books

At the exits, posters show Hallyday, completely devoid of irony, straddling a motorbike.

Independent

Mr. Feinstein treats the past with a reverence that is devoid of irony.

The New York Times - Arts

For Haynes's film is All That Heaven Allows revisited, but devoid of irony or kitsch.

The Guardian - Film

He's after stories about ordinary people, and he's devoid of irony".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Unlike fiction and history, the myths often preferred by a population are those devoid of irony--the kind that mirror our desires back at us uncluttered by complex subtexts.

Huffington Post

But rather like Russell Crowe's similarly creaky directorial debut The Water Diviner last year, there's something to enjoy about its traditional brand of storytelling, devoid of any irony.

The Guardian - Film

Most dramatic literature gives you great wide wings, but the language of the religious fanatic, more often than not, is crafted with clay and is very much earthbound, devoid of any irony and terribly earnest.

The New York Times

Bearing anodyne names like Ring Around the Rosie, Boy With Toothache and Smart Little Sister, Hummels draw on a childhood of the imagination devoid of lust, irony or the encroachments of modern living.

The New York Times - Magazine

I myself, at age eleven, passionately desired a complete wardrobe of floral cotton — a wish not devoid of many ironies.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "devoid of irony" to clearly communicate that a statement, action, or situation is completely earnest and should not be interpreted with any sarcasm or hidden meaning. This is especially useful when the context might otherwise suggest irony.

Common error

Avoid assuming that something is ironic simply because it seems unusual or unexpected. "Devoid of irony" means exactly what it says: there's no hidden meaning or sarcasm. Trust the speaker's or writer's intent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devoid of irony" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating that the noun lacks any trace of irony. As Ludwig AI indicates, it clearly states an absence of sarcasm or humorous intent, as seen in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Arts

20%

General

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "devoid of irony" is a grammatically correct and useful way to describe something lacking any trace of sarcasm or humorous understatement. As Ludwig AI confirms, its function is to remove ambiguity and highlight genuine intent. While common in News & Media, the phrase also appears in various forms of art reviews and general writing. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure the context aligns with the meaning. Consider "lacking irony" or "without irony" as alternatives, but be aware that they may not carry the same emphasis on complete absence as the original phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking irony

Focuses on the absence of irony as a missing quality.

without irony

Emphasizes the absence of irony in a straightforward manner.

genuinely unironic

Directly states the lack of irony with emphasis on genuineness.

without a hint of irony

Emphasizes the complete absence of even a suggestion of irony.

completely serious

Highlights the earnestness and lack of humor or sarcasm.

utterly sincere

Indicates a genuine and heartfelt quality, excluding any ironic undertones.

entirely earnest

Stresses the genuine and serious nature, free from any irony.

sincerity without a trace of irony

More verbose, but conveys a stronger sense of genuine intent, without irony present.

free from sarcasm

Specifies the absence of sarcastic or mocking elements.

plainly straightforward

Implies a directness and lack of hidden meaning or irony.

FAQs

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

You can use "devoid of irony" to describe statements, actions, or even artistic styles. For example, "His apology was completely devoid of irony, showing genuine remorse."

What are some synonyms for "devoid of irony"?

Alternatives include "lacking irony", "without irony", or "completely serious". Choose the one that best fits the specific context.

Is it always clear when something is "devoid of irony"?

Not always. Sometimes, especially in nuanced situations, it can be difficult to discern whether a statement is genuinely "devoid of irony" or if there's a subtle layer of sarcasm. Context is key.

What's the difference between "devoid of irony" and "lack of irony"?

"Devoid of irony" emphasizes a complete absence, whereas "lack of irony" simply indicates that irony is not present to a significant degree. They're largely interchangeable, but "devoid" is stronger.