devoid of truth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devoid of truth" is correct and usable in written English.
This expression means "lacking truth or accuracy". You can use it when you want to emphasize that something is not true. Example: His claim that the moon is made of cheese is completely devoid of truth.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

(Reading Morris, one begins to wonder whether the clichés of history — the inscrutable, watchful Chinese, who counts life in eons and contemplates his navel; the gruff entrepreneurial Western explorer — are entirely devoid of truth).

The New Yorker

Eichmann's account, during the police examination, of how he was introduced into the new department — an account that was, of course, distorted but not wholly devoid of truth — oddly recalls this fool's paradise.

The New Yorker

Nel said Pistorius was an "appalling witness" whose testimony was "devoid of truth … The accused is more interested in fending for his life than in entrusting the court with a truthful account".

The Guardian

(Reading Morris, one begins to wonder whether the clichés of history the inscrutable, watchful Chinese, who counts life in eons and contemplates his navel; the gruff entrepreneurial Western explorer are entirely devoid of truth).

The New Yorker

Mr. Rosenthal, 33, is a former television writer who was responsible in large measure for popular comedies like "Ellen" and "Spin City;" his experience made him filthy rich but also taught him how empty a life devoid of Truth can be.

The New York Times

The reports are "completely devoid of truth and are part of a media war against Syria" waged by "seditious and misleading channels", it quotes the army as saying.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Because the verdicts of taste are sentiments, devoid of truth-value, there is no opportunity for the conflicts and failures of reason that give rise to philosophical skepticism.

SEP

The longest to have survived purports to be by Herodotus himself; but it is quite devoid of objective truth.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When meaning is lost, only words remain, and in this case they're religious sounding but totally devoid of religious truth.

Independent

"The statements made by I.A.C. in the press conference today are devoid of any truth or substance whatsoever," the company said in a statement Wednesday evening.

The New York Times

"I would like to assure the Muslims that Sheik Osama bin Laden is in good health and all the rumors about Sheik Osama's illness and being wounded in Tora Bora are devoid of any truth," Mr. Abu Gheith said, adding that the same was true of Dr. Zawahiri, the Egyptian surgeon who is Mr. bin Laden's deputy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "devoid of truth" when you want to strongly emphasize the absence of any truth or accuracy in a statement or situation. It conveys a more forceful sense of untruth than simply saying something is "false".

Common error

Avoid using "devoid of truth" in casual conversation. Its formal tone is better suited for legal, academic, or journalistic writing, making it sound unnatural in everyday speech.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devoid of truth" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that the noun lacks any truth. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to emphasize the complete absence of truth in a statement or situation, as illustrated in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "devoid of truth" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon expression used to indicate the complete absence of truth. According to Ludwig AI, it's appropriate for emphasizing the lack of factual basis in a statement or claim. Its usage is mostly concentrated in news and media, scientific writing and encyclopedias, lending itself to neutral register where credibility and precision are vital. While effective for conveying a strong sense of untruth, remember that simpler alternatives like "false" or "untrue" might be preferable in informal contexts. It's a powerful tool for emphasizing incredulity in formal speech and writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking veracity

Emphasizes the absence of truthfulness or accuracy.

false

A straightforward term indicating something is not true.

untruthful

Focuses on the act of not telling the truth.

without basis in reality

Highlights the disconnect from actual facts or events.

completely fabricated

Stresses that something has been invented or made up.

pure fiction

Implies the content is imaginative and not factual.

empty of fact

Highlights the lack of factual content.

bereft of reality

Similar to "without basis in reality", emphasizing a lack of connection to what is real.

totally groundless

Indicates a complete lack of foundation or support.

sheer invention

Focuses on the creative, but ultimately untrue, nature of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "devoid of truth" to describe statements, claims, or arguments that lack any factual basis. For example: "The politician's speech was completely devoid of truth."

What's a less formal way to say "devoid of truth"?

Alternatives include phrases like "false", "untrue", or "not based on reality". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

"Devoid of truth" is stronger and emphasizes a complete absence, while "lacking truth" suggests a deficiency that might not be absolute. It depends on the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

Are there synonyms for "devoid of truth" that emphasize deception?

Yes, you could use phrases like "fabricated", "concocted", or "mendacious" if you want to highlight the deceptive aspect of the untruth. Consider also alternatives like "false" or "untruthful" depending on the context.