lacking in meaning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lacking in meaning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that does not convey a clear or significant message or value. Example: "The poem felt lacking in meaning, leaving the readers confused about its purpose."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Although the parties themselves remain, they have become so disconnected from the wider society, and pursue a form of competition that is so lacking in meaning that they no longer seem capable of sustaining democracy in its present form".

The Guardian - Opinion

A new law in the northern Mexican state of Sonora bans parents from registering names for their children defined by the authorities as "derogatory, pejorative, discriminatory or lacking in meaning".

The Guardian

We live and work in a world that is drowning in information, but lacking in meaning and context.

Forbes

In this respect, true tranquillity for human beings coincides with their being "assimilated" to God, so that, when this condition of serenity is reached, nothing is any longer felt as lacking in meaning and substance.

SEP

If a life sentence is so lacking in meaning that is causes unbearable psychological suffering, there's a case for assisted suicide.

Vice

Still others, including veteran worshipers (who drop out from attendance) find the services to be boring and lacking in meaning or raising problems of belief.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Having concluded that the district court was correct in its determination that Zatarain's mark "Chick-Fri" is a descriptive term lacking in secondary meaning, we turn to the issue of cancellation.

Harvard University

They attempted to evoke the ineffable intuitions and sense impressions of man's inner life and to communicate the underlying mystery of existence through a free and highly personal use of metaphors and images that, though lacking in precise meaning, would nevertheless convey the state of the poet's mind and hint at the "dark and confused unity" of an inexpressible reality.

Britannica

Long hours at a job lacking in greater meaning eventually takes a toll on many of the women we meet.

Huffington Post

In his talk, Foer describes an ancient memory technique called "mnemonic encoding" that allows us to take information that is lacking in personal meaning and transform it in a way that makes connections with our already existing storehouse of personal memories, thereby increasing the chances it will be remembered in the future.

Huffington Post

However, since many of the words recorded are evasive and lacking in clear meaning, we suspect that they are indeed a true reflection of the kind of language used with the patients during the consultation.

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lacking in meaning", ensure the context clearly defines what specific type of meaning is absent: purpose, significance, or emotional depth.

Common error

Avoid overusing "lacking in meaning" in highly formal or academic writing. Instead, consider more precise alternatives like "devoid of significance" or "bereft of purpose" to enhance clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lacking in meaning" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something does not possess significance or purpose. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

29%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lacking in meaning" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes the absence of significance, purpose, or clear value. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans diverse contexts, from news to academic discussions. While alternatives like "devoid of significance" or "empty of substance" can offer more precision in formal writing, "lacking in meaning" remains a versatile and readily understood phrase. Its frequency is uncommon, highlighting its place as a useful but not overly common expression in the English language. Therefore, writers can confidently use "lacking in meaning" as long as the specific context and intended nuance are carefully considered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meaningless

A more direct and concise way to express the same idea.

devoid of significance

Focuses on the absence of importance or consequence.

lacking significance

A slightly more formal alternative, emphasizing the absence of importance.

empty of substance

Emphasizes the absence of depth or content.

without purpose

Highlights the absence of an aim or intention.

devoid of content

Stresses the absence of meaningful material or information.

bereft of significance

Similar to "devoid of significance" but with a slightly more formal tone.

insignificant

Emphasizes a lack of importance or consequence.

hollow

Suggests an emptiness and a lack of genuine feeling or value.

vacuous

Implies emptiness and a lack of intellectual or emotional depth.

FAQs

How can I use "lacking in meaning" in a sentence?

You can use "lacking in meaning" to describe anything that doesn't convey a clear or significant message or purpose. For example, "The politician's speech was "lacking in meaning", offering no concrete solutions."

What are some alternatives to "lacking in meaning"?

Alternatives include "devoid of significance", "empty of substance", or "without purpose", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "lacking in meaning" formal or informal?

"Lacking in meaning" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but in highly formal writing, consider alternatives like "bereft of significance" for a more sophisticated tone.

How does "lacking in meaning" differ from "meaningless"?

"Meaningless" is a more direct and concise term, while "lacking in meaning" offers a slightly more descriptive and nuanced expression. Both are similar, but "lacking in meaning" can sometimes emphasize a deficiency or absence more explicitly.