flagrant contempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "flagrant contempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to describe a blatant or obvious disregard for the authority of a court or legal process. Example: "The defendant's actions demonstrated flagrant contempt for the court's orders, leading to severe penalties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

To many Clinton Administration officials, the affair exhibited flagrant contempt for the rule of law.

The New Yorker

He launched a campaign to expose what he called "a flagrant contempt for the interests of the taxpayer".

Independent

That said, the latest phase of Europe's sovereign debt crisis has exposed the quite flagrant contempt for voters, the people who are going to bear the full weight of the austerity programmes being cooked up by the political elites.

The Guardian - Business

In books like "The F.L.N.: Mirage and Reality," he has traced the rise of a military-bureaucratic elite that, in his view, has led the country to economic ruin and civil war, displaying flagrant contempt for the people whose praises it ritually sings.

The New York Times - Books

Here at home, Japanese citizens were put into concentration camps, in flagrant contempt for the Anglo-American tradition of equality under the law, and the ex-Confederate states remained what they had been for half-a-century, a collection of one-party, white man's governments.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Young was jailed in January 2013 for what the judge described as a "flagrant and deliberate" contempt of court.

The Guardian

Scot Young, 51, was said by the judge, Mr Justice Moor, to be in "flagrant and deliberate contempt" of the court for failing to disclose his financial assets to his wife, Michelle Young, 48.

The Guardian

End of story!" Labour's Chris Bryant said it had been "one of the most flagrant attempts at a contempt of parliament in parliament's history!" If their perjury had been in a court they would have risked seven years' imprisonment, and the way he said it made it clear that that would be just another example of soft sentencing.

The Guardian

But when a demagogue who was open in his contempt for immigrants and flagrant in his disdain for women came along with promises of a huge, impossible wall, the GOP caved.

The Guardian - Opinion

"This defiance of the House's subpoena power is the most flagrant example yet of the administration's contempt for the American people's right to know the truth about what happened when four Americans died in a fiery terrorist attack".

Huffington Post

Nothing can justify Israel's flagrant violations of international law or their demonstrated contempt for human rights.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flagrant contempt" to describe actions that are not only disrespectful but also openly defiant and intended to challenge established boundaries.

Common error

Avoid using "flagrant contempt" in everyday situations where simpler expressions of disagreement or annoyance would suffice. Its formal tone is best suited for serious breaches of conduct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flagrant contempt" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "flagrant" modifies the noun "contempt". It intensifies the degree of contempt, indicating an open and blatant disregard. Ludwig AI examples showcase its use in describing behaviors that defy established norms or authority.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Flagrant contempt" is an adjective-noun phrase used to describe an obvious and extreme form of disrespect or disregard. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and finds it most commonly used in news and media contexts. It conveys strong disapproval and is generally appropriate for formal or neutral registers, best reserved for serious breaches of conduct. While alternatives like "blatant disrespect" exist, "flagrant contempt" adds a particular emphasis on the overt and defiant nature of the contempt shown.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contemptuous disregard

Reorders the original phrase while maintaining a similar meaning.

blatant disrespect

Focuses more on the disrespectful nature of the action.

open defiance

Emphasizes the rebellious aspect of the behavior.

outright disregard

Highlights the complete lack of consideration.

deliberate defiance

Emphasizes the planned and intentional nature of the defiance.

brazen insolence

Implies boldness and arrogance in the disrespect.

shameless disregard

Underscores the lack of shame associated with the contemptuous behavior.

egregious disrespect

Emphasizes that the disrespect is particularly bad or offensive.

willful disobedience

Highlights the deliberate and intentional nature of the act of disobedience.

flagrant violation

Shifts the focus to the act of violating rules or norms, while retaining the idea of blatant disrespect.

FAQs

How to use "flagrant contempt" in a sentence?

You can use "flagrant contempt" to describe actions that openly defy established rules or show blatant disrespect. For example: "His actions displayed a "flagrant contempt" for the court's authority."

What can I say instead of "flagrant contempt"?

You can use alternatives like "blatant disrespect", "open defiance", or "outright disregard depending on the context.

Which is correct, "flagrant contempt" or "flagrant disregard"?

Both ""flagrant contempt"" and "flagrant disregard" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Flagrant contempt" implies disrespect or scorn, while "flagrant disregard" suggests a lack of attention or care.

What's the difference between "flagrant contempt" and "mild disrespect"?

"Flagrant contempt" describes an extreme and obvious show of disrespect, while "mild disrespect" suggests a slight or subtle lack of respect. The former is a serious offense, the latter a minor breach of etiquette.