devoid of sense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devoid of sense" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means lacking meaning or logic. Example: The politician's speech was devoid of sense, leaving the audience confused and disappointed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The draft, admittedly, gets one or two things right: it is not entirely devoid of sense (see article).

The Economist

That underlined that, along with the public-health implications and the mental health problems doping causes, the practice leaves sport itself completely devoid of sense.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The man is xenophobic, misogynist, devoid of common sense or a sense of reality; he thinks he's better than everyone, jokes about assaulting women, which we know he has; he thinks he's too smart to file his taxes.

The Guardian

Trump's transactional sense of policy, too, which is devoid of a sense of history or normative value, led him to positions that read like Putin's wish list: he spoke of recognizing Russia's annexation of Crimea, called into question U.S. commitments to NATO, and dismissed criticism of Putin's authoritarian rule.

The New Yorker

During his entire time as Labour leader, he made only one major speech on the topic... Wherever I turned there was a palpable sense that the [welfare] system was devoid of any sense of contribution... ...... Labour "started with a fundamental distrust of people… [and] seemed to assume that people were either needy, greedy or irrelevant".

Independent

Philo's works are rambling, having little sense of form; repetitious; artificially rhetorical; and almost devoid of a sense of humour.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Is this man devoid of all sense of fun?

The Guardian - Opinion

His accounts of political intrigue are virtually devoid of any sense of a struggle over ideas.

The Economist

11.46am GMT Civil servants are not always devoid of a sense of humour.

The Guardian

In an industry largely devoid of any sense of the ridiculous, he was usually an exception.

The Economist

But these kids were seemingly devoid of any sense of anything other than themselves, or of what they had bought.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "devoid of sense", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific kind of sense is lacking, such as common sense, logical sense, or moral sense.

Common error

Avoid using "devoid of sense" when simpler terms like "meaningless" or "silly" would suffice. The phrase is stronger and best reserved for situations where the lack of sense is a significant issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devoid of sense" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate a complete absence of reason, logic, or meaning. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is considered correct for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

7%

Wiki

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "devoid of sense" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates a complete absence of logic, reason, or meaning. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for written English and carries a neutral register, making it appropriate for a variety of contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and scientific discourse. When choosing an alternative, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey, such as "lacking sense" for conciseness or "irrational" to emphasize a lack of reason. While the phrase is versatile, avoid overuse in contexts where simpler terms would suffice, reserving it for situations where the absence of sense is a notable issue.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking sense

This alternative is a more concise way to express the absence of sense.

nonsensical

This single-word adjective directly describes something as lacking sense or being absurd.

irrational

This term emphasizes the lack of reason or logical thinking.

absurd

This implies something is ridiculous and doesn't make logical sense.

meaningless

Focuses on the absence of purpose or significance.

illogical

Directly points out the lack of logical consistency.

without reason

Emphasizes the absence of a rational basis.

foolish

Suggests a lack of wisdom or good judgment.

unreasonable

Highlights the lack of fairness or justification.

empty of meaning

This alternative highlights the lack of substantial content or significance.

FAQs

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

You can use "devoid of sense" to describe something lacking logic or meaning, as in, "The argument was completely devoid of sense."

What are some alternatives to "devoid of sense"?

You can use alternatives like "lacking sense", "nonsensical", or "irrational" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

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

"Devoid of sense" and "lacking sense" are similar, but "devoid" suggests a complete absence. Choose the one that best fits the degree of absence you want to express.

What's the difference between "devoid of sense" and "absence of sense"?

"Devoid of sense" emphasizes that something is without sense, while "absence of sense" refers to the state of lacking sense. They are often interchangeable, but "devoid" can carry a stronger connotation.