devoid of pleasure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devoid of pleasure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, experience, or state that lacks enjoyment or satisfaction. Example: "The movie was so dull that it left the audience feeling devoid of pleasure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

His few affairs are devoid of pleasure or joy and serve only to increase his isolation.In this section Should we lock the door on cell science?

The Economist

Grim, gory and devoid of pleasure, kinetic or otherwise, this is the second big-screen take on the British comics series Judge Dredd, after a 1995 Sylvester Stallone vehicle best remembered for Sly's shiny, oversize codpiece.

The New York Times

All that said, "Dralion," a coinage that suggests dragon and lion, is not devoid of pleasure, and several of its opening-night acts drew an enthusiastic response from the audience.

The New York Times

The men will tell them that these are their man caves, you see; places where only men can go, to do man things, with other men, for hours at a time, because a man's life is so devoid of pleasure otherwise.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

BLT Burger is a place not devoid of pleasures.

The New York Times - Food

In a slightly patronising way, I approve: a media life devoid of the pleasure of inventing a supposed youthquake is no life at all, and I have the trophies from such piss-poor attempts as "the New Eclecticism" (rap-rock for cult-stud undergrads, circa 1993) and "the New Wave of New Wave" (Britpop without the good bits, circa 1994) to prove it.

The Guardian - Music

The first is that the actual clubbing scenes in this piece of utter shit manage to making going out look completely devoid of any pleasure whatsoever.

Vice

The N.B.A. playoffs are equally devoid of onomastic pleasures, just cheap echoes of Magic and the Mailman, Tiny and Tree, Chief and Cornbread.

The New York Times - Sports

"It is not worth it to me to live a bleak life devoid of small pleasures so that one day I can make a single large purchase.

The Guardian - Opinion

"In the Cut" is completely controlled and all of a piece, and yet, apart from one performance, it's terrible — a thriller devoid of incidental pleasures or humor, or even commonplace reality.

The New Yorker

Theirs is not a life devoid of any joy or pleasure.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "devoid of pleasure", ensure that the subject you are describing is something that would normally be expected to provide pleasure, creating a sense of contrast or disappointment.

Common error

Avoid using "devoid of pleasure" to describe things that are inherently not pleasurable. It's more impactful when describing something that should offer enjoyment but fails to do so.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devoid of pleasure" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun, indicating that the noun lacks the quality of pleasure. Ludwig examples confirm this usage, showcasing the phrase describing experiences or situations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "devoid of pleasure" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for describing the absence of enjoyment or satisfaction. While not overly common, it's suitable for various writing contexts, especially where you want to emphasize the lack of something usually desirable. Ludwig AI confirms that its usage is appropriate across different contexts. Keep in mind that alternatives like "lacking enjoyment" or "bereft of joy" can be use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

devoid of enjoyment

"Enjoyment" replaces "pleasure", a close synonym.

lacking pleasure

Simple synonym replacing "devoid of" with "lacking".

lacking in enjoyment

Combines "lacking" with "enjoyment" for a similar meaning.

bereft of pleasure

"Bereft" replaces "devoid", adding a sense of loss.

without pleasure

Straightforward alternative using "without".

absent of pleasure

"Absent" replaces "devoid", implying something missing.

bereft of gratification

"Gratification" replaces "pleasure", emphasizing satisfaction.

empty of pleasure

"Empty" replaces "devoid", suggesting hollowness.

devoid of all delight

"Delight" replaces "pleasure", intensifying the sense of lacking positive emotion.

without any joy

Focuses on the absence of "joy" rather than general pleasure.

FAQs

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

You can use "devoid of pleasure" to describe experiences or situations lacking enjoyment, such as, "The task felt "devoid of pleasure" after hours of repetitive work".

What's a synonym for "devoid of pleasure"?

A synonym for "devoid of pleasure" is "lacking enjoyment", which conveys a similar sense of absence of positive feelings.

Is it more appropriate to say "devoid of pleasure" or "lacking pleasure"?

Both "devoid of pleasure" and "lacking pleasure" are correct, but "devoid of" can suggest a more profound absence. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "devoid of pleasure" and "devoid of joy"?

"Devoid of pleasure" generally refers to the absence of any enjoyment or satisfaction. "Devoid of joy" suggests a deeper emotional emptiness and lack of happiness, they are synonyms but they refer to different level of lack of enjoyment. It can be use "devoid of joy" in more emotional context.