in contempt of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in contempt of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to indicate a disregard for the authority of a court or legislative body. Example: "The defendant was found in contempt of court for failing to comply with the judge's order."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"I find you in contempt of court.

Independent

Donaldson held Baker in contempt of court.

The Guardian

"We can't be in contempt of court," Mr. Carrington said.

The New York Times

"And we just sat there in contempt of it.

The New Yorker

"I'm holding the Super Eagles in contempt of the game".

The Guardian - Sport

They generally prefer to be held in contempt of court.

The New York Times

OK, now you're in "contempt of the court".

The Guardian - Opinion

When they refused they were held in contempt of Congress & a criminal trial took place.

The New Yorker

After declaring them in contempt of court, he ordered the attorney's arrest.

Independent

A judge once even ruled her in contempt of court for not dressing more modestly.

The New York Times

His remarks drew wide derision and a threat of being held in contempt of court.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "in defiance of" or "in violation of" to provide variety in your writing, depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Common error

A common error is using "in contempt of" loosely to describe general disrespect or disagreement. This phrase specifically relates to defying legal or authoritative commands, not just general opinions or preferences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in contempt of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating a state of disobedience or disrespect towards a recognized authority, typically a court or legislative body. Ludwig AI examples show it's used to describe the legal consequences of defying orders.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academia

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in contempt of" is a prepositional phrase primarily used in legal and formal contexts to denote disobedience or disrespect toward an authority, especially courts or legislative bodies. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its frequent use in news and media when reporting on legal proceedings. While synonyms like "in defiance of" and "in violation of" exist, "in contempt of" specifically implies a disregard for a formal order or ruling. It's important to reserve this phrase for situations where there's been a clear violation of authority, not just general disagreement or disrespect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in violation of

Focuses on the act of breaking a law or rule, similar but more specific to legal contexts.

in non-compliance with

Specifically indicates a failure to meet required standards or regulations.

in defiance of

Emphasizes open resistance or disobedience, often more active than simply being in contempt.

in contravention of

A formal term indicating a direct contradiction or violation of a rule or law.

in breach of

Implies a failure to uphold an agreement or obligation, particularly in formal or legal settings.

in flouting of

Implies a deliberate and often ostentatious disregard for rules or norms.

in disregard of

Highlights a lack of attention or respect for something, somewhat milder in tone.

in disrespect of

Highlights the lack of respect shown towards a person or institution, milder and less legalistic.

in opposition to

Suggests a stance against something, more about disagreement than disobedience.

in mockery of

Highlights derision and scorn, showing disrespect through ridicule.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "in contempt of" court?

Being "in contempt of" court means you've disobeyed a court order or shown disrespect for the court's authority. This can lead to fines or even jail time.

What are some alternatives to saying "in contempt of"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "in defiance of", "in violation of", or "in disregard of".

What actions can lead to someone being held "in contempt of" court?

Refusing to testify, violating a restraining order, or disrupting court proceedings are all actions that could lead to someone being held "in contempt of" court.

Is there a difference between "in contempt of" court and "in contempt of" Congress?

Yes, both indicate a disregard for authority, but one pertains to the judicial branch (court) and the other to the legislative branch (Congress). The consequences for each can differ.