be despised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be despised" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing feelings of contempt or disdain directed towards someone or something. Example: "In a society that values conformity, those who dare to be different may often be despised."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In Christendom Jews were never accepted as legitimate citizens given the fact that they had killed Jesus and were to be despised as human beings.

Huffington Post

Or, at the very least, to be despised as a human being without a shred of decency or goodness.

The Guardian

To be despised".

The New Yorker

Israel will still be despised.

The New York Times

WEASEL words are not necessarily to be despised.

The Economist

The National Front should be despised but not overestimated.

The New Yorker

This is not to be despised, it's the future.

The Guardian - Tech

A saddle off a fat doe is not to be despised.

Cornell University

Though empirical scientists sometimes scoff at it, this third method is not to be despised.

The Economist

People would far rather be despised and hated than made to look ridiculous".

Independent

That genre is not to be despised; we have different needs from our future descendants.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be despised" when you want to emphasize a strong feeling of contempt or scorn towards someone or something, often implying a moral judgment or intense dislike. It's best suited for formal writing or when conveying a serious tone.

Common error

Avoid using "be despised" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly dramatic or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "be hated" or "be disliked" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be despised" functions as a passive verb construction. It indicates that the subject of the sentence is the recipient of the action of despising. Ludwig AI examples show it frequently used to describe states of being or potential outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

14%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be despised" is a common and grammatically correct passive verb construction used to express strong contempt or scorn. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it's frequently found in news and media, academic writing, and scientific publications. While the phrase is generally suitable for neutral registers, using it in informal contexts may sound overly dramatic. Semantically related alternatives include "be loathed", "be detested", and "be scorned". Remember to use "be despised" when you want to convey a serious tone of moral judgment or intense dislike, and avoid it if you are looking for a more casual alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be loathed

Stronger emphasis on hatred and aversion.

be detested

Formal and intense dislike.

be abhorred

Implies a feeling of repugnance and disgust.

be scorned

Focuses on rejection and contempt.

be reviled

Suggests widespread condemnation and abuse.

be hated

General expression of intense dislike.

be looked down upon

Emphasizes a sense of superiority and disdain from others.

be held in contempt

Formal expression indicating a lack of respect.

be shunned

Focuses on avoidance and social exclusion.

be rejected

General term for not being accepted or wanted.

FAQs

How to use "be despised" in a sentence?

The phrase "be despised" is used to indicate that someone or something is regarded with contempt or scorn. Example: "In a society that values conformity, those who dare to be different may "be despised"."

What can I say instead of "be despised"?

You can use alternatives like "be loathed", "be detested", or "be scorned" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "be despised" or "being despised"?

"Be despised" is typically used in passive constructions to describe a state, while "being despised" is a gerund or present participle form often used to describe an ongoing action or state. For example, "To "be despised" is a terrible feeling" versus "Being despised constantly can lead to depression."

What's the difference between "be despised" and "be hated"?

While both phrases express strong dislike, "be despised" suggests a deeper sense of contempt or moral disapproval, while "be hated" is a more general and direct expression of intense dislike. Despising often implies a sense of looking down on someone or something.