devoid of wonder

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devoid of wonder" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that lacks amazement, curiosity, or awe, often in a context discussing experiences, art, or nature. Example: "The landscape was beautiful, but the city felt devoid of wonder compared to the mountains."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Teenagers seem devoid of wonder.

The New York Times - Magazine

What I've discovered is that cities by car tend to be ugly, drab and devoid of wonder.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It's juvenile, devoid of heart and wonder, and it feels perfunctory.

Huffington Post

As a child growing up on the mean streets of the suburbs of Minneapolis, I led a life devoid of the nerdly wonders that I've come to love in the last decade.

TechCrunch

Even we cynics will admit that a well-chosen cat, when it's not busy shredding or shedding on your furniture, can sometimes be amusing, but the elite eight here appear so devoid of personality that you wonder if some of them are stuffed.

The New York Times - Arts

Ironically, in a bid to modernise itself for the sake of attracting foreign investment, the council is creating a city so homogenous and devoid of character that you wonder if it will seem attractive to anyone besides the archetypal office drone.

Vice

Ironically, in a bid to modernize itself for the sake of attracting foreign investment, the council is creating a city so homogenous and devoid of character that you wonder if it will seem attractive to anyone besides the archetypal office drone.

Vice

It's a city full of wonders, completely devoid of boring humans.

TechCrunch

Its worst moment is a carefree rendition of "Is That All There Is?" so devoid of subtext it leaves you wondering whether "Love Letters" is a show written for someone else and handed to Ms. White at the last minute.

The New York Times - Arts

No wonder it is devoid of visitors.

The Economist

But this is a film so utterly devoid of laughs that it makes one wonder whether Hollywood stars really are feeling the pinch too.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "devoid of wonder" to describe situations, environments, or experiences that lack a sense of amazement or inspiration. For example, "The modern city, with its concrete structures, seemed "devoid of wonder" compared to the natural landscapes."

Common error

Avoid using "devoid of wonder" in contexts where you want to express positive emotions or experiences. The phrase carries a negative connotation, indicating a lack of something desirable. Instead, opt for phrases like "full of wonder" or "inspiring".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devoid of wonder" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes something as lacking a sense of amazement, awe, or inspiration. Ludwig confirms this usage with examples from credible sources.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "devoid of wonder" is a phrase used to describe the absence of amazement, awe, or inspiration. Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as grammatically correct, though relatively rare. The phrase is frequently used in News & Media and Science. When employing this phrase, writers should ensure the context aligns with its negative connotation, avoiding its use in overly positive scenarios. Related phrases such as "lacking wonder" or "bereft of wonder" can be used as alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking wonder

Replaces "devoid of" with "lacking", maintaining the core meaning but using a slightly different structure.

bereft of wonder

Substitutes "devoid of" with "bereft of", offering a more formal or literary alternative.

without wonder

Uses a more direct and simple phrasing to convey the absence of wonder.

absent of wonder

Employs "absent of" in place of "devoid of", providing a slightly different nuance.

lacking a sense of wonder

Expands the phrase to explicitly mention "a sense of wonder", adding clarity.

without a trace of wonder

Emphasizes the complete absence of wonder by using the phrase "without a trace of".

devoid of amazement

Replaces "wonder" with the synonym "amazement", maintaining a similar meaning.

bereft of awe

Substitutes "wonder" with "awe", focusing on the aspect of profound respect or reverence.

uninspired

A single-word adjective that suggests a lack of wonder or excitement.

mundane and uninspiring

Uses adjective pairs for emphasizing the lack of wonder or excitement.

FAQs

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

You can use "devoid of wonder" to describe something lacking amazement or inspiration. For example, "The presentation was so monotonous that it left the audience "devoid of wonder"."

What are some alternatives to "devoid of wonder"?

Alternatives include "lacking wonder", "bereft of wonder", or "without wonder", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say 'devoid with wonder' instead of "devoid of wonder"?

No, the correct phrasing is "devoid of wonder". "Devoid" requires the preposition "of", not "with". Using "devoid with" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "devoid of wonder" and "full of wonder"?

"Devoid of wonder" signifies a complete absence of amazement or awe, while "full of wonder" implies the presence of significant amazement or awe. They are antonyms.