bloodless
/ˈblʌdləs/ (bre, ipa) · [blˈʌdləs] /ˈblʌdləs/ (ame, ipa) · [blˈʌdləs] /ˈbləd-ləs How to pronounce bloodless (audio)/ (ame, mw)
bloodless — adjective
- bloodlesspositive
- more bloodlesscomparative
- most bloodlesssuperlative
1. describing a battle, takeover, or revolution in which nobody is killed or seriou
describing a battle, takeover, or revolution in which nobody is killed or seriously injured
The 1989 Velvet Revolution is remembered as a largely bloodless transfer of power in Czechoslovakia.
collocation: bloodless transfer of power
Henrik described the takeover of the radio station as quick, professional, and entirely bloodless.
Generals on both sides hoped for a bloodless settlement before the rainy season arrived.
Ayesha argued that the protest movement had succeeded in forcing a bloodless change of government.
The general staff drew up plans for a bloodless coup that depended on surprise rather than force.
- non-violent
broader; covers any peaceful action, not only military or political
- peaceful
everyday word; 'bloodless' is more specifically about no deaths in a takeover
用法筆記
Almost always modifies a noun for an organised political event — coup, revolution, takeover, transfer, victory. Rarely used of small-scale fights or personal disputes.
常見錯誤
2. of a face, lips, or hands: so pale that the skin looks drained, usually because
of a face, lips, or hands: so pale that the skin looks drained, usually because the person is ill, frightened, or in shock
Anong's lips were almost bloodless after she stepped out of the freezing lake.
typical body parts: lips / face / cheeks / hands
The nurse noticed that the patient's hands were cold and bloodless on the bedsheet.
Liam stared at the test results with a bloodless face, gripping the kitchen counter for support.
By the third hour of the storm, the small boy's cheeks had turned bloodless from the cold.
用法筆記
Subject is almost always a body part visible to others — face, lips, cheeks, hands. Distinguish from sense 1, which never refers to a person's appearance.
常見錯誤
3. showing or feeling no warmth, sympathy, or human emotion; coldly detached when w
showing or feeling no warmth, sympathy, or human emotion; coldly detached when warmth would be expected
The judge delivered the long sentence in a bloodless voice that chilled the courtroom.
typical pairing: bloodless voice / tone / smile
Omar found the manager's bloodless reply to the family's loss almost more upsetting than the news itself.
The novel is narrated by a bloodless accountant who records each murder as if filing an expense.
Critics praised the actor for portraying the dictator as bloodless rather than openly cruel.
- warm
showing friendly, caring feeling
- compassionate
feeling and showing sympathy for others
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: a bloodless coup involves no deaths, but a bloodless leader feels nothing about the deaths they cause. The criticism is about lack of warmth, not lack of violence.
常見錯誤
4. of a performance, writing, or speech: technically correct but flat and without e
of a performance, writing, or speech: technically correct but flat and without energy or feeling
The orchestra played every note correctly, but the conductor described the performance as bloodless.
typical pairing: bloodless performance / rendition
Élise complained that the new translation of the poem was accurate but completely bloodless.
The minister's bloodless speech failed to convince anyone in the town hall that real change was coming.
Reviewers called the second novel a bloodless follow-up to the writer's lively debut.
- lifeless
near-synonym for this sense; 'bloodless' adds a sense of technical perfection that fails to move
- flat
everyday word; less literary
- uninspired
suggests lack of creative spark
用法筆記
Typically a critic's word. Distinguish from sense 3: sense 3 is about a person being emotionally cold; sense 4 is about a product (book, performance, speech) feeling dull and energyless.