devoid of merit

USAGE SUMMARY

"devoid of merit" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate something lacking in quality, value, or worth. For example: "His explanation of the problem was completely devoid of merit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

This alternative history is devoid of merit.

The Guardian - Opinion

This figure too is devoid of merit, a transparent attempt to circumvent the scientific consensus.

The Guardian

In his affidavit, Oplinger angrily responded, "This is a serious charge, and devoid of merit".

The New Yorker

Be this as it may, however, we think the proposition is devoid of merit.

Cornell University

Snapchat describes Mr Brown's claims as "frivolous" and "utterly devoid of merit".

Independent

Update: The NRA posted a statement denouncing this analysis of its ad as "dubious," "devoid of merit," and "absurd". Interestingly, the statement quotes our colleagues at PolitiFact.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

He was the fourth Trump nominee the ABA found to be devoid of judicial merit.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr Mansha rejected the allegations as "baseless, devoid of any merit and foundation".

The Times

The Eritrean government has dismissed the UN's allegations as "unfounded and devoid of all merit".

The Guardian

The Eritrean government dismissed the UN's allegations as "unfounded and devoid of all merit".

The Guardian

Responding to the UN commission's findings, the Eritrean government has dismissed the report as "unfounded" and "devoid of all merit".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "devoid of merit", consider pairing it with a reason or explanation as to why the subject lacks value.

Common error

While effective, "devoid of merit" can sound overly formal or harsh in casual conversation. Opt for simpler terms like 'pointless' or 'invalid' when speaking or writing informally.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devoid of merit" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that it lacks any value or worth. Ludwig highlights its common usage in formal contexts to express strong disagreement or dismissal.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "devoid of merit" is a frequently encountered phrase, as validated by Ludwig's comprehensive dataset. It serves to express that something lacks value or substance. Ludwig AI categorizes it as grammatically sound and primarily used in news, academic, and legal contexts. While effective in formal settings, it may come across as overly harsh in casual conversations. Related phrases include "lacking substance", "without value", and "groundless". When aiming for a less emphatic statement, simpler terms like "pointless" or "invalid" can also convey that something is "devoid of interest".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worthless

Directly indicates a lack of value or usefulness.

without value

Emphasizes the absence of monetary or ethical worth.

baseless

Similar to unfounded, but may imply a more deliberate lack of foundation.

groundless

Highlights the absence of a solid foundation or justification.

unfounded

Stresses the lack of factual basis or support.

without foundation

A more formal way of saying unfounded or baseless.

lacking substance

Focuses on the absence of meaningful content or depth.

empty of significance

Highlights the lack of importance or consequence.

insignificant

Similar to inconsequential, but can also imply a lack of size or impact.

inconsequential

Focuses on the lack of importance or relevance.

FAQs

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

You can use "devoid of merit" to describe something that lacks value or substance. For example, "The argument was "devoid of merit" and easily dismissed".

What's a less formal alternative to "devoid of merit"?

Less formal alternatives include "pointless", "invalid", or "without substance". The best choice depends on the specific context.

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

"Devoid of merit" carries a stronger connotation of complete absence of value. "Lacking merit" simply suggests a deficiency. Use "devoid" when you want to emphasize the total lack of worth.

What is the difference between "devoid of merit" and "utterly ridiculous"?

"Devoid of merit" suggests that something lacks value or substance, while "utterly ridiculous" implies that something is absurd or laughable. The former focuses on a lack of worth, while the latter focuses on absurdity.