devoid of sympathy

USAGE SUMMARY

'devoid of sympathy' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that someone or something is completely lacking in sympathy or caring. For example: When her child announced that he was quitting school, his mother's response was devoid of sympathy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

People who run baseball teams take a quantitative view of the game, but they are not devoid of sympathy.

The New York Times - Sports

"That I am totally devoid of sympathy for, or interest in, the world of groups is directly attributable to the fact that my two greatest needs and desires -- smoking cigarettes and plotting revenge -- are basically solitary pursuits.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Bates is practically devoid of human sympathy, describing the children as "samples".

The Guardian - Books

This is journalism utterly devoid of human sympathy -- journalism, I would say, on the wrong side of the human race.

Huffington Post

Two years earlier Ramsay McDonald, then leader of the National government, had urged Wilkinson to look at the bigger picture: "Ellen, why don't you go and preach socialism, which is the only remedy for this?" Wilkinson viewed such a response as "sham sympathy", devoid of human feeling and connection with the very people who sustained the life force of the Labour party.

The Guardian - Books

Seasons, fields, stones, predicaments, people - all of them are evoked with a swiftness, a sympathy and understanding (devoid of Celtic sentimentalism) that mark out McGahern as an outstanding writer.

The Guardian - Books

One could not say that she was devoid of feeling or had a fundamental lack of sympathy.

The New Yorker

Coos of sympathy?

The New Yorker

A manifestation of sympathy?

The New York Times

I want murmurs of sympathy.

The New York Times

"Expressions of sympathy aren't enough.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "devoid of sympathy" to describe characters or situations where a lack of compassion is a significant element. For example, "The villain's actions were completely devoid of sympathy, showcasing their cruel nature."

Common error

Be mindful of overusing "devoid of sympathy" in contexts where a more nuanced expression of emotional detachment might be appropriate. Sometimes, 'lacking empathy' or 'unsympathetic' can offer a softer, more precise description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devoid of sympathy" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a lack of compassion or empathy. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It is used to attribute a specific quality (or lack thereof) to a subject.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "devoid of sympathy" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a notable absence of compassion or empathy. According to Ludwig AI, it's suitable for use in written English. Its usage is relatively rare, with the majority of examples found in News & Media. When using this phrase, it's crucial to consider the context and ensure that it accurately reflects the intended meaning. Alternative phrases like "lacking in compassion" or "without empathy" might be more appropriate in some situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking in compassion

Replaces "devoid of" with "lacking in", focusing on the absence of compassion.

without empathy

Uses a more direct term, "empathy", instead of "sympathy", and simplifies the structure.

lacking empathy

Mirrors the meaning of "without empathy", highlighting a deficiency.

without compassion

Directly states the absence of compassion, similar to "without empathy".

unsympathetic

A single-word adjective replacing the entire phrase for brevity.

heartless

Emphasizes a cruel or unfeeling nature, intensifying the lack of sympathy.

callous

Suggests a hardened and insensitive attitude.

unfeeling

Highlights the lack of emotional response or sensitivity.

insensitive

Focuses on a lack of awareness or concern for others' feelings.

unmoved by suffering

Emphasizes the inability to be affected by the pain of others.

FAQs

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

You can use "devoid of sympathy" to describe someone's actions or character, such as, "His response to the tragedy was "devoid of sympathy", which shocked everyone."

What are some alternatives to "devoid of sympathy"?

Alternatives include "lacking in compassion", "without empathy", or "unsympathetic". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

"Devoid of sympathy" and "lacking sympathy" are both grammatically correct and convey similar meanings. "Devoid of" is often seen as slightly more formal and emphatic than "lacking".

What is the difference between "devoid of sympathy" and "devoid of empathy"?

"Sympathy" involves feeling compassion or sorrow for someone's misfortune, while "empathy" involves understanding and sharing another person's feelings. Thus, ""devoid of sympathy"" implies a lack of compassion, and "devoid of empathy" suggests an inability to understand another's feelings.