ill repute

USAGE SUMMARY

"ill repute" is a valid phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a negative reputation or perception of someone or something. Here is an example: "Despite his many accomplishments, the politician's involvement in the corruption scandal left him in ill repute among his constituents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Debt is in ill repute.

The New York Times

They're houses of ill repute.

Yale University

And running a house of ill repute.

Harvard University

Perhaps you meant a lady of ill repute?

The Guardian

One of them said, "Someone might think that you were a woman of ill repute".

The New Yorker

The businesslike Mr Gilman insists that a house of ill repute is nothing of the kind.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Most journalistic literature, however, deserves none of the ill-repute that is associated with its more polemical expressions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"What is clear is that overall the trophy hunting must be carefully regulated, otherwise it casts the whole trophy hunting industry into ill-repute," she said.

Independent

Utility of ill-repute?

Forbes

Protagoras' avowed agnosticism did not, then, provoke public outrage or even bring him into ill-repute, and it is worth considering why not.

SEP

One claimed a program in Mexico was shut down because the police thought it was a 'house of ill-repute'.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ill repute", ensure the context clearly establishes the reasons for the negative reputation. Specific details or examples can strengthen the impact and credibility of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "ill repute" excessively in formal or business writing where more direct and specific language might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "damaged reputation" or "poor standing" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ill repute" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically following prepositions like 'in' or 'of'. It describes a state or condition of having a negative reputation. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it is a valid phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

14%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ill repute" is a well-established noun phrase used to describe a negative reputation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. Grammatically correct and frequently used, it appears most often in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "bad reputation" or "disrepute" exist, "ill repute" offers a nuanced way to express disapproval or criticism. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly establishes the reasons behind the negative image to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bad reputation

Focuses on the negative aspect of someone's public image, similar to "ill repute" but more direct.

poor reputation

Similar to "bad reputation", indicating a less favorable public perception.

disrepute

A more concise synonym, emphasizing the state of being held in low esteem.

notoriety

Highlights the state of being widely known, usually for negative reasons.

infamy

Suggests a more extreme form of negative reputation, often associated with serious wrongdoing.

dishonor

Implies a loss of honor or respect, often due to unethical behavior.

bad name

A simpler, more colloquial alternative to "ill repute".

tainted reputation

Indicates that someone's reputation has been damaged or spoiled.

scandal

Refers to a specific event or situation that damages someone's reputation.

unfavorable image

A more neutral alternative, focusing on the negative perception without necessarily implying wrongdoing.

FAQs

How can I use "ill repute" in a sentence?

You can use "ill repute" to describe someone or something that has a bad reputation. For example, "The company fell into "ill repute" after the scandal was revealed".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "ill repute"?

Alternatives to "ill repute" include "bad reputation", "poor reputation", or "disrepute". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "in ill repute" or "of ill repute"?

"In "ill repute"" is the more common and natural phrasing. "Of "ill repute"" is less frequently used but still grammatically correct.

What distinguishes "ill repute" from "infamy"?

"Infamy" suggests a more extreme and widely known negative reputation than "ill repute". "Ill repute" implies a generally unfavorable perception, while "infamy" often involves notoriety for evil or wicked acts.