hold in contempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hold in contempt" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to have a strong feeling of dislike or disrespect towards someone or something. Example: She held her former boss in contempt for his unfair treatment towards her. Another example: The judge warned the defendant not to speak out of turn or risk being held in contempt of court.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

The order would not change what prosecutors must turn over, but it would for the first time allow judges to hold in contempt prosecutors who willfully violated the obligation.

The New York Times

This isn't a defence of Brown, McBride or Draper – all individuals I hold in contempt.

The Guardian - Opinion

Harold Bloom went so far as to call it the one play Shakespeare wrote that "he himself seems to hold in contempt".

The New York Times

They enforce a sense of unhappy men trapped in personas that are either lies or exaggerations of qualities they may possess but also hold in contempt.

The New York Times

"Kabuki is entertainment for ordinary folks, but modern Kabuki seems to hold in contempt the spirit of entertainment," Mr. Degawa said.

The New York Times

To many people, it is Grub Street Shakespeare, his "only play that he himself seems to hold in contempt," in the words of the scholar, Harold Bloom.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Vollmer was ultimately held in contempt of court.

The Washington Post

Violators could be held in contempt of court and fined.

The New Yorker

October 13 Cooper and Time are held in contempt.

The Guardian

They generally prefer to be held in contempt of court.

The New York Times

But Clapper and Alexander have not been held in contempt of Congress.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In general writing, use it to convey a principled and deep-seated lack of respect rather than just a passing dislike

Common error

Avoid using "hold in contempt" as a synonym for mild annoyance. It carries a heavy weight of total disregard and, in many contexts, suggests that the object of the contempt has violated a fundamental rule or social contract. If you just dislike something, consider using "dislike" or "disapprove" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase ""hold in contempt"" functions as a transitive verb phrase. It consists of the verb "hold", the preposition "in", and the noun "contempt". In this construction, the object is typically placed between "hold" and "in" (e.g., "hold him in contempt") or follow the full phrase in passive constructions. Ludwig AI confirms that this is the standard grammatical structure for expressing this sentiment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Social Media

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase ""hold in contempt"" is a powerful linguistic tool used to express deep-seated disrespect or a formal legal judgment. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely utilized in prestigious publications. Its usage is split between the legal domain, where it refers to "contempt of court" or "contempt of Congress", and the social domain, where it describes a feeling of superiority or disdain. When using this phrase, writers should be aware of its formal weight and ensure they are not merely describing a minor dislike. It remains a staple of professional journalism and legal writing due to its precision and authoritative tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

view with contempt

is a more descriptive and slightly less idiomatic variant

despise

focuses more on the visceral emotion of deep hatred

disdain

suggests a feeling that someone or something is unworthy of notice

scorn

implies open mockery or rejection along with the contempt

look down on

provides a more informal way to express social superiority

loathe

emphasizes intense disgust and intolerance

abhor

connotes a moral or formal rejection of something

deride

focuses on the act of laughing at or ridiculing someone

spurn

implies an active rejection of something offered

dismiss

suggests treating something as insignificant or not worth considering

FAQs

How do I use "hold in contempt" in a sentence?

You can use it legally, such as "The judge decided to "hold the witness in contempt"", or personally, such as "They "hold the old traditions in contempt"".

What is a formal alternative to "hold in contempt"?

In legal settings, you might say "cite for contempt" or in general settings use "regard with disdain".

What is the difference between "hold in contempt" and "despise"?

"despise" is more emotional and personal, while ""hold in contempt"" often implies a judgement of unworthiness or a refusal to obey authority.

Is it "hold in contempt" or "hold with contempt"?

The standard idiom is ""hold in contempt"". While "view with contempt" is correct, "hold with" is rarely used and often considered a mistake.