loveless

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'loveless' is correct and is a commonly used adjective in written English.
It means without love or lacking love. Example: In her loveless marriage, Sarah felt trapped and unhappy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Labour deputy leader, Harriet Harman, called for an apology, and a spokesman for the Liberal Democrats – increasingly eager to show they are locked in a loveless marriage with Cameron – said: "We would not have used that language".

The Guardian

I'd always feared I'd be an angry and loveless father.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The cohabitation has been loveless, with Zanu-PF the dominant partner.

The Economist

Until the French left lost the general election last June, the centre-right Mr Chirac had spent five years in a loveless "cohabitation" with a Socialist government.

The Economist

This is intensified by loveless relationships with visiting Latin American guerrillas, whose machismo was amplified by the arrogance that comes from believing themselves to be monopoly bearers of historical truth.For friendship, she relied on an engaging group of gays, whose passionate defence of the revolution could not conceal their frustration at its artistic vacuity.

The Economist

Get a grip Two elephants trample the grass Loveless letters ReprintsThe former general says Mr Jonathan promised to serve only one term after his election in 2011.

The Economist

Get a grip Two elephants trample the grass Loveless letters ReprintsThe immediate cause of this mess is the growth of al-Qaeda affiliates in Syria.

The Economist

But the author's charmless, loveless eye brings this effort crashing down.

The Economist

The shortfall is now critical: training of recruits has been disrupted because instructors have had to be sent abroad.In this section The man who would be president Falling back on friends On the cheap Loveless relationships Reprints Related items Correction: Canada's defence policyNov 27th 2003Equipment is in an even worse state than manpower.

The Economist

The constant themes are her battles against the censors she had a short stint in jail in 1927 her adoption of black culture, jazz, the blues and, especially, the shimmy, her avowed promiscuity set against her childlessness, a loveless marriage to a small-time vaudevillian, and a regular pattern of critical failure followed by huge popular success.

The Economist

"A very NATO model," says one of them.In this section Robert Mugabe refuses to give up Morganatic message The other dodgy election Americans go a-wooing Not by bread alone Let there be justice for all Reprints Related items Ethiopia and the United States: A loveless liaisonApr 3rd 2008All the same, AFRICOM has so far been poorly received on the continent.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing relationships, use "loveless" to convey a lack of affection and emotional connection, highlighting the absence of love as a defining characteristic. For example, "Their marriage was a loveless arrangement."

Common error

Avoid using "loveless" when you intend to describe other negative qualities like anger or resentment. "Loveless" specifically denotes the absence of love, not necessarily the presence of other emotions.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "loveless" primarily functions to describe something or someone lacking love or affection. It is used to qualify nouns, indicating the absence of warmth, care, or emotional connection. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Encyclopedias

26%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "loveless" effectively describes the absence of love or affection, a concept frequently explored across diverse contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in "News & Media" and "Encyclopedias", the term conveys a negative emotional state, indicating a lack of warmth or emotional connection. Related phrases, such as "without affection" or "devoid of love", offer alternative ways to express this absence. When writing, "loveless" should be reserved for denoting the lack of love and not used to broadly describe other negative emotions, ensuring clarity and precision. Understanding its nuances ensures effective communication when highlighting the absence of affection in various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without affection

Replaces "loveless" with a more literal description of lacking affection.

unaffectionate

A single-word synonym that directly conveys the absence of affection.

devoid of love

Emphasizes the complete absence of love in a more emphatic way.

lacking affection

Similar to "without affection" but with a slightly different phrasing.

unloving

A simple and direct synonym for "loveless".

without tenderness

Focuses on the lack of tenderness, a key component of love.

cold-hearted

Suggests a lack of empathy and warmth, implying an absence of love.

unresponsive

Describes a lack of emotional response, which can be related to a lack of love.

emotionally distant

Highlights the emotional unavailability of someone, implying a lack of loving connection.

hard-hearted

Similar to "cold-hearted", emphasizing a lack of compassion.

FAQs

How can I use "loveless" in a sentence?

You can use "loveless" to describe relationships or situations lacking affection or care. For example, "It was a "loveless marriage"" or "He grew up in a "loveless home"".

What's a good synonym for "loveless"?

Alternatives to "loveless" include "unaffectionate", "unloving", or "devoid of love", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "loveless" in formal writing?

Yes, "loveless" is appropriate in formal writing when describing a lack of affection or emotional connection. It's a direct and clear term that can be used in both personal and professional contexts.

What is the difference between "loveless" and "unhappy"?

"Loveless" specifically refers to a lack of love or affection, while "unhappy" describes a general state of dissatisfaction or discontent. A relationship can be "loveless but stable" without necessarily being unhappy, and vice versa.