lacking compassion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lacking compassion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that does not show empathy or concern for others' feelings or suffering. Example: "His response to the tragedy was cold and lacking compassion, leaving many feeling hurt and abandoned."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Those who cut waste are assailed for lacking compassion.

The Economist

"It's not that we are lacking compassion, but the economics are tough".

The New York Times

Health care providers were perceived as lacking compassion and largely ignorant to the needs of deaf persons, in general, and deaf gay men, in particular.

Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care

Under Ed Miliband and Ed Balls, Labour attacked the Tories for lacking compassion but ending up offering their own welfare cuts.

The Guardian

Liberals have long accused the GOP of lacking compassion - but whatever Republicans were thought to lack in soft-heartedness they more than made up for in hard-headedness.

The Guardian - Opinion

Lacking compassion or any hint of genuinely black humour, this prison sequence is tasteless (as opposed to being in authentic bad taste) and embarrassing.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

My wife says I lack compassion.

The New York Times - Magazine

He seems deeply disrespectful of others and to lack compassion.

The New York Times - Magazine

If I didn't, people would say I lacked compassion.

Cornell University

If I didn't, people would say I lacked compassion.'" Ibid.

Cornell University

Some Chinese children feel as many Western parents feel, that the Chinese parenting method is harsh and lacks compassion.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lacking compassion", ensure the context clearly identifies who or what is displaying the absence of empathy. Providing specific examples strengthens your claim and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "lacking compassion" when the situation calls for stronger terms like "malicious" or "cruel". "Lacking compassion" describes a passive absence of empathy, not necessarily active harm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lacking compassion" primarily functions as an adjective phrase. It modifies nouns or pronouns to describe a state of being without empathy or concern. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lacking compassion" effectively conveys the absence of empathy or concern, commonly used to critique actions, policies, or individuals. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and grammatical correctness. While frequently found in news and media, it also appears in scientific and general contexts. When using "lacking compassion", consider the nuances and whether alternatives like "without empathy" or "devoid of compassion" might be more appropriate. It's essential to provide specific examples to support your claim and avoid misinterpreting apathy for active cruelty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

devoid of compassion

Emphasizes a complete absence of compassion.

bereft of empathy

Similar to devoid of compassion and without empathy, it denotes an absence of empathy.

without empathy

Highlights the absence of understanding and sharing the feelings of another.

unsympathetic

Focuses on not feeling or showing sympathy for others.

heartless

Implies a cruel or insensitive nature.

insensitive

Indicates a lack of awareness or consideration for the feelings of others.

callous

Suggests a hardened and indifferent attitude.

unfeeling

Stresses the absence of emotional response or sensitivity.

merciless

Highlights the lack of pity or forgiveness.

ruthless

Implies a lack of concern for the pain or suffering of others, often associated with ambition or determination.

FAQs

How to use "lacking compassion" in a sentence?

You can use "lacking compassion" to describe an individual, an action, or a policy that shows a lack of empathy or concern for others. For instance, "The politician's response to the crisis was "lacking compassion", which drew criticism from many sides."

What can I say instead of "lacking compassion"?

You can use alternatives like "without empathy", "unsympathetic", or "devoid of compassion" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "lacking compassion" or "lacks compassion"?

"Lacking compassion" functions as an adjective phrase, while "lacks compassion" is a verb phrase used to describe a subject. Example: "His actions were "lacking compassion"." versus "He "lacks compassion"."

What's the difference between "lacking compassion" and "without compassion"?

While similar, "lacking compassion" suggests a deficiency or absence of compassion in a particular situation or action. "Without compassion" implies a more general state or characteristic. They are often interchangeable, but the former may be more context-specific.