felt rejected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "felt rejected" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a sense of being dismissed or not accepted in a particular situation or by certain individuals. Example: "After not being invited to the party, she felt rejected by her friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We may find ourselves seeking rejection, the same way we felt rejected as kids.

Huffington Post

Then, he felt rejected.

Independent

He felt rejected by everything he loved.

The New Yorker

"He felt rejected by everyone," she said.

The New York Times

What if she felt rejected?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I felt rejected," Shachtman said.

The Guardian

"He felt rejected, and rightly so".

The New York Times

I think all her children felt rejected by her.

The New York Times - Books

This is a kid who was just angry in general and probably felt rejected.

Independent

He felt rejected by his family after his father took two more wives, marginalising his mother.

Independent

Goodes had been Australian of the Year, now he felt rejected by Australia.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's emotional state in fiction, use "felt rejected" to convey a sense of emotional pain and isolation. This can add depth to the character and make their experiences more relatable.

Common error

While "felt rejected" is widely understood, it may sound too informal in academic or professional writing. Consider using more formal alternatives like "experienced rejection" or "was subjected to rejection" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "felt rejected" functions primarily as a descriptive verb phrase. It describes a state of being, where an individual experiences the emotion of rejection. Ludwig confirms its correct usage. Examples show it used to express personal feelings about social and professional situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "felt rejected" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the emotion of being dismissed or unwanted. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it leans towards the informal, suggesting that more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or professional writing. Consider synonyms like "experienced rejection" or "felt excluded" to refine your message depending on the context. When writing, remember the practical tip to utilize the phrase in character development to enhance relatability. Avoid overuse in formal documents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experienced rejection

Replaces the verb "felt" with the noun "experienced", focusing on the act of rejection itself.

felt excluded

Emphasizes the feeling of being left out or not included.

felt ostracized

Highlights the sense of being excluded from a group or society.

felt unwanted

Focuses on the feeling of not being desired or appreciated.

felt alienated

Stresses the feeling of being isolated and disconnected from others.

felt abandoned

Emphasizes the feeling of being left behind or deserted.

felt unloved

Highlights the feeling of not receiving affection or care.

felt dismissed

Focuses on the feeling of being ignored or treated as unimportant.

felt forsaken

Emphasizes a stronger sense of abandonment, often with religious or moral undertones.

felt spurned

Highlights the feeling of being rejected with contempt or disdain.

FAQs

How can I use "felt rejected" in a sentence?

You can use "felt rejected" to describe someone's emotional state after experiencing dismissal or lack of acceptance. For example, "After not being selected for the team, he "felt rejected" by his peers".

What's a more formal alternative to "felt rejected"?

In formal writing, consider using phrases like "experienced rejection", "was subjected to rejection", or "encountered rejection" as more suitable alternatives to "felt rejected".

Is it grammatically correct to say "felt rejected"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Felt" is the past tense of "feel", and "rejected" functions as an adjective describing the state of being rejected. It's a commonly used and accepted phrase.

What is the difference between "felt rejected" and "felt excluded"?

While both phrases describe negative emotional states, "felt rejected" implies a direct act of refusal or dismissal, whereas "felt excluded" suggests a sense of being left out or not included, which may not involve a direct act of rejection.