air of contempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "air of contempt" is correct and usable in written English.
The phrase is often used to describe a person's attitude or behavior when they are showing a lack of respect for someone or something. For example, "He looked at me with an air of contempt, as if I weren't worth his time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

There is, she says," an air of contempt for women who commit crimes, and for girls in particular.

The Guardian

And, some claimed, there was an air of contempt in her choosing to tweet the image at all.This, despite Thornberry herself being brought up in a council house.

The Guardian

"It's the fags that'll get me in the end, I know it," he said once, at one of our lunches, tossing his pack of Rothmans onto the table with an air of contempt.

The New Yorker

Truth be told, from the very beginning the Trump administration has projected an air of contempt towards the press.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

I went on to write that it's your constant contempt for the President, Congress, and other government officials that makes your show inappropriate to be aired on the American Forces Network, as this kind of contempt against government officials is prohibited in the military.

Huffington Post

It's an air of neglect that speaks volumes about the contempt with which the building's creator is held today.

Vice

The definition of contempt.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

One by one, they held up their shoes in the air in contempt.

The New Yorker

Each full of contempt for the other.

The Guardian - Opinion

There was a good deal of contempt for the Iranians.

The New Yorker

Such moments verge on the "snobbery of contempt".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "air of contempt" to describe a palpable feeling of disdain or disrespect that is evident in someone's behavior or demeanor. It implies a pervasive and easily sensed attitude.

Common error

Avoid using "air of contempt" to describe a momentary expression of dislike. The phrase suggests a more persistent and underlying attitude rather than a fleeting emotion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "air of contempt" functions as a noun phrase that describes a discernible quality or atmosphere emanating from someone's attitude or behavior. It suggests a pervasive and readily apparent sense of disdain. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in describing attitudes.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "air of contempt" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is employed to depict an attitude characterized by palpable disdain or disrespect, primarily found in news and media contexts. While not frequently used, its purpose is to convey a clear sense of negativity and disdain. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure it accurately reflects a pervasive attitude rather than a fleeting emotion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aura of disdain

Similar to "air of contempt" but uses "aura" to suggest a pervasive quality.

spirit of contempt

Suggests an underlying attitude or mentality of contempt.

tone of disdain

Focuses on the manner of speaking or expression that conveys contempt, rather than the overall atmosphere.

manner of scorn

Focuses on the specific way someone behaves that shows contempt.

hint of scorn

Suggests a subtle or understated expression of contempt.

attitude of derision

Highlights a mocking or ridiculing attitude.

show of disrespect

Highlights the action or behavior that demonstrates a lack of respect.

sense of superiority

Emphasizes the feeling of being better than others, which often underlies contempt.

feeling of revulsion

Emphasizes the strong dislike or disgust associated with contempt.

display of haughtiness

Focuses on the arrogance and condescension that can accompany contempt.

FAQs

How can I use "air of contempt" in a sentence?

The phrase "air of contempt" is used to describe someone's behavior that shows a feeling of disdain or disrespect. For example, "She spoke to him with an "air of contempt", dismissing his concerns as trivial."

What are some synonyms for "air of contempt"?

Synonyms for "air of contempt" include phrases like "tone of disdain", "hint of scorn", or "sense of superiority". Each carries a slightly different nuance but conveys a similar feeling of disdain.

Is it appropriate to use "air of contempt" in formal writing?

Yes, "air of contempt" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in news reporting, essays, or analyses where you need to describe a character's attitude or the atmosphere of a situation. However, it should be used judiciously to maintain a neutral tone.

What's the difference between "air of contempt" and "feeling of contempt"?

"Air of contempt" refers to the outward expression or manifestation of contempt, making it noticeable to others. "Feeling of contempt", on the other hand, refers to the internal emotion experienced by the person. The former is visible, while the latter is internal.