devoid of mind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devoid of mind" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in a figurative sense to refer to someone or something that appears to be without feeling or thought, or without the capacity for those things. For example, "The cold, lifeless face of the statue was devoid of mind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Yet even die-hard realists will concede that some aspects of the world — color and fragrance, for example, or humor — are projected onto it by our mental activity; in a universe devoid of mind, nothing would be red or sweet-smelling or funny.

The New York Times - Books

Descartes regarded nonhuman animals as machines, devoid of mind and consciousness, and hence lacking in sentience.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The theory of actual entities is a response to the idea that the "stuff" of which the world is made is devoid of mind-like qualities—Whitehead refers to this as "vacuous actuality".

SEP

The Springboks looked under-prepared, devoid of ideas, never mind inspiration.

The Guardian - Sport

Not a blank mind, devoid of a judicial philosophy, but an open mind — a certain receptiveness to reason, argument and fact.

The New York Times

That is to say, although only God, God's thoughts, and the perceptible individuals exist in the strong sense as subsistences, all types of genera are beings; they may be beings in a different sense, but they all are beings and not constructions of our mind devoid of reality.

SEP

He had a "practical mind devoid of self-delusion and, as Lincoln said, was able to define people as they defined themselves".

Huffington Post

Spoiler alert: the macabre plot of "Get Out" involves some weird science that's meant to create black bodies without blackness, black minds devoid of black consciousness.

The New Yorker

Secularism, he charges, has left us leading hollow, atomised lives, devoid of what he (to my mind bafflingly) calls "fullness".

The Guardian - Books

He feels stale and out of sorts: he moves within the narrow compass of his mind, utterly devoid of fresh ideas.

The New Yorker

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

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "devoid of mind" when you want to emphasize the complete absence of thought, consciousness, or intellectual activity in a subject. For instance, describing a character in fiction as "devoid of mind" can create a sense of emptiness or lack of understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "devoid of mind" when describing actions that are simply unintentional or ignorant, rather than truly lacking cognitive function. For example, instead of saying 'His actions were devoid of mind', consider stating the reason behind his actions more explicitly by using phrases like "unintentional" or "unpremeditated".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devoid of mind" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate the complete absence of mental faculties, consciousness, or intellect. It indicates a state of lacking cognitive abilities or awareness, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "devoid of mind" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, albeit rare in occurrence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Functioning as a descriptive adjective phrase, it serves to denote the complete absence of mental faculties or consciousness. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various analytical contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific discussions. While synonyms like "lacking intelligence" or "without awareness" can offer nuanced alternatives, "devoid of mind" specifically highlights the utter lack of mental presence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mindless

Suggests a lack of intelligence or purpose.

lacking intelligence

Focuses specifically on the absence of intellectual capacity.

vacant of thought

Describes a state where thoughts are absent or fleeting.

bereft of reason

Highlights the absence of logical thinking and rationale.

unthinking

Implies a lack of careful consideration or reflection.

without awareness

Emphasizes the absence of consciousness or perception.

unconscious

Refers to a state of being unaware or insensible.

empty-headed

Informal term suggesting a lack of intelligence or serious thought.

brainless

An informal term to mean someone unintelligent.

absent-minded

Signifies forgetfulness or inattentiveness, implying the mind is elsewhere.

FAQs

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

You can use "devoid of mind" to describe something lacking thought, consciousness, or intellect, like: "The robot seemed "devoid of mind" as it performed its tasks."

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

Alternatives to "devoid of mind" include "lacking intelligence", "bereft of reason", or "without awareness", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to describe a person as "devoid of mind"?

While grammatically correct, describing a person as "devoid of mind" can be harsh. It's more appropriate when referring to fictional characters, philosophical concepts, or non-living entities. If you need to refer to a person's actions, consider saying they behaved as "lacking common sense" or were "unthinking".

What's the difference between "devoid of mind" and "absent-minded"?

"Devoid of mind" implies a complete lack of mental activity or understanding, whereas "absent-minded" suggests inattentiveness or forgetfulness, with the person's mind being occupied elsewhere.