A contemptible act

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "A contemptible act" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that is deserving of scorn or disdain. Example: "The politician's decision to lie to the public was widely regarded as a contemptible act."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

That's why, just like Mr Johnson's infantile behaviour last week, Mr Farage's resignation is a contemptible act that should neither be forgotten nor forgiven.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was a contemptible act that saw French league's assets – grounds, funds, even players – handed over to rugby union which until that point was struggling against the growing popularity of the 13-man game.

The Guardian - Sport

These events have remained a matter of controversy between those Polish historians who believe Stanislaus was part of a Bohemian-German plot designed to remove Bolesław and replace him with Władysław, and those who describe the execution as a contemptible act of revenge against a saintly bishop who had excommunicated a cruel, licentious king.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The Japanese prime minister vowed that the nation would not give in to what he described as an "inhumane and contemptible act of terrorism".

Huffington Post

In a resolution approved by all 15 member countries, the Council declared itself "appalled" by what it called "this outrageous and contemptible act against unarmed international staff who were in West Timor to help the refugees".

The New York Times

The Rugby Football Union's chief disciplinary officer, Jeff Blackett, is a supporter of the hardline stance, regarding deliberate gouging as one of the most contemptible acts of foul play in the game.

The Guardian - Sport

To mess those releases up, whether through indifference or calculation or vindictiveness, is among the more contemptible acts I've observed distributors engage in in recent memory.

The New Yorker

Yes, our founders were men of lofty principles, but many engaged in contemptible acts that have been whitewashed into non-existence.

HuffPost

These are not just contemptible acts of terrorism that may find some explanation in political, economic, religious, or social ideology; they are nothing less than graceless acts of human evil.

Huffington Post

It's a contemptible tactic.

The New Yorker

As we all know, young workers are a contemptible bunch.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a contemptible act" to express strong disapproval or moral outrage when describing an action. It's particularly effective when the act violates established norms or ethical standards.

Common error

Avoid using "a contemptible act" in casual or lighthearted conversations. Its strong negative connotation can sound overly dramatic or pretentious in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a contemptible act" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "contemptible" modifies the noun "act". It describes an action that is considered deserving of contempt or scorn. Ludwig shows this phrase being used to describe actions deemed morally wrong or highly unethical.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

17%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a contemptible act" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in written English, employed to denote actions deserving of scorn. Ludwig AI indicates that its function is to convey strong disapproval. While grammatically correct, the phrase appears relatively infrequently, primarily in News & Media and Encyclopedia contexts. Alternatives such as "a despicable deed" or "a reprehensible action" offer similar sentiments with slight variations in emphasis. Exercise caution in informal contexts, as its strong negative tone could appear overly dramatic. Overall, "a contemptible act" serves as a potent tool for expressing moral outrage in appropriate settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A despicable deed

Emphasizes the morally reprehensible nature of the action.

A reprehensible action

Highlights the blameworthiness and moral wrongness of the action.

A shameful act

Focuses on the disgrace and dishonor associated with the action.

An outrageous offense

Stresses the shocking and unacceptable nature of the action.

A vile deed

Conveys a strong sense of disgust and moral corruption.

A heinous crime

Emphasizes the extreme wickedness and evil of the action, typically used for severe moral violations.

An abhorrent action

Highlights the feeling of repugnance and aversion towards the action.

A disgraceful episode

Focuses on the dishonorable and scandalous nature of the event.

An unpardonable transgression

Emphasizes that the action cannot be forgiven or excused.

A morally bankrupt act

Highlights the complete lack of moral principles behind the action.

FAQs

How can I use "a contemptible act" in a sentence?

You can use "a contemptible act" to describe something that is deserving of scorn or disdain. For example, "The politician's decision to lie to the public was widely regarded as "a contemptible act"".

What are some alternatives to "a contemptible act"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a despicable deed", "a reprehensible action", or "a shameful act" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a contemptible act"?

It is appropriate to use "a contemptible act" when you want to strongly condemn an action that you consider morally wrong or deserving of scorn. It's suitable for formal writing and serious discussions.

Is "a contemptible act" too strong for everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "a contemptible act" might sound overly formal or dramatic in casual conversation. Consider using less intense synonyms like "a disgraceful episode" or "a morally bankrupt act" for everyday use.