devoid of remorse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devoid of remorse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who shows no feelings of guilt or regret for their actions. Example: "The criminal was devoid of remorse, showing no signs of regret for the pain he caused his victims."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Quentin B. Huff of PopMatters criticized the song's lyrics and described them as well-intentioned but "overboard with melodrama" and "devoid of remorse".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

They are devoid of feelings of guilt or remorse, a point readily admitted by Bundy himself.

Wikipedia

Her lack of remorse was also astounding.

Independent

"In terms of remorse, Your Honor, I can't imagine more remorse," he said.

The New Yorker

He showed no signs of remorse.

The New York Times

Your lack of remorse is chilling.

Independent

He showed no sign of remorse.

The Guardian

He felt another stirring, not of loin but of remorse.

The New Yorker

He expressed no feelings of remorse.

The New York Times

Expressions of remorse are seen as mitigation.

The Guardian

"There was no demonstration of remorse.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "devoid of remorse", ensure that the context clearly establishes a situation where remorse would be expected or appropriate. This strengthens the impact of the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "devoid of remorse" when a milder expression of regret or guilt would be more fitting. The phrase implies a complete absence of feeling, so ensure this aligns with the situation being described.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devoid of remorse" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a lack of feeling. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable. It is commonly used to express the absence of guilt or regret.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "devoid of remorse" is a grammatically sound and impactful way to describe a complete lack of regret or guilt, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. While not exceedingly common, it is used across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media, to express strong judgments about character or behavior. When writing, ensure the intensity of the phrase aligns with the situation. Consider alternative phrasing options like "without remorse" or "lacking remorse" for varied stylistic effects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without remorse

Direct synonym replacing "devoid of" with "without" for brevity.

lacking remorse

Uses "lacking" instead of "devoid of", maintaining the same grammatical structure and meaning.

unrepentant

A single-word adjective conveying the absence of regret or repentance.

remorseless

Another single-word adjective emphasizing the lack of remorse.

shows no remorse

Shifts from an adjectival phrase to a verb phrase, describing the act of not showing remorse.

feels no remorse

Focuses on the internal feeling of not having remorse.

unmoved by guilt

Highlights the lack of emotional response related to guilt.

without regret

Similar to "without remorse", but focuses on the absence of regret specifically.

callous

Implies a hardened insensitivity that includes a lack of remorse.

heartless

Emphasizes the lack of empathy and compassion, leading to a lack of remorse.

FAQs

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

You can use "devoid of remorse" to describe someone who shows no feelings of guilt or regret for their actions. For example: "The defendant was "devoid of remorse" during the trial, showing no empathy for the victims."

What are some alternatives to "devoid of remorse"?

Alternatives include "without remorse", "lacking remorse", "unrepentant", or "remorseless". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

Is it more correct to say "devoid of remorse" or "lacking remorse"?

Both "devoid of remorse" and "lacking remorse" are grammatically correct and widely accepted. The choice between them is largely a matter of stylistic preference. "Devoid of" may sound slightly more formal.

What does it mean to say someone is "devoid of remorse"?

To say someone is "devoid of remorse" means they completely lack any feeling of guilt, regret, or sorrow for their actions, even when those actions have caused harm or suffering to others.