lightly regarded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lightly regarded" is not commonly used in written English and may not convey the intended meaning clearly.
It could be used to describe something that is considered with little seriousness or importance. Example: "The proposal was lightly regarded by the committee, leading to its eventual rejection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The private right will certainly not be lightly regarded.

Cornell University

And lightly regarded Paulites running for Congress could become forces with the right amount of money.

The New York Times

The lightly regarded North Koreans produced a famous upset, eliminating Italy to advance to the quarterfinals.

The New York Times - Sports

Opponents will be watching those hitherto lightly regarded fists a little more closely in future.

The Guardian - Sport

He was a lightly regarded player at Bergen Catholic High School in Oradell, N.J.

The New York Times - Sports

Never before had the Wolverines been so lightly regarded by oddsmakers.

The New York Times - Sports

Lightly regarded Boston College (2-4) was playing its best basketball of the season and gaining confidence by the minute.

The New York Times - Sports

The winner, who returned $31 straight, won by a head over another lightly regarded horse, J. H. Stone's Flagship.

The New York Times

On Friday night, Cyborg looked positively scary as she walked through a lightly regarded fighter named Charmaine Tweet.

The New Yorker

The lightly regarded Rey Ordóñez currently plays shortstop for the Cubs because Alex Gonzalez has a broken wrist.

The New York Times - Sports

Still, playing in the lightly regarded Mountain West Conference, B.Y.U. has been on a season-long search for respect.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful that the phrase implies a degree of misjudgment or a failure to appreciate potential. Consider this implication to add nuance to your writing.

Common error

While "lightly regarded" is suitable for news and sports articles, avoid it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and nuanced language such as "undervalued" or "underestimated" in scholarly contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lightly regarded" functions as a pre-modifying adjective, adding descriptive detail to a noun. It suggests that the modified noun (person, object, or idea) is perceived as less important or valuable than it actually is. Ludwig's examples show common usage in describing sports teams or political candidates.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sports

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lightly regarded" is a common and useful way to describe something or someone underestimated. Primarily found in news and sports contexts, it carries a neutral to slightly informal tone. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and its examples showcase diverse applications. Related phrases like "underestimated" or "undervalued" can offer more formality, while awareness of context ensures its appropriate usage. While versatile, remember to use precise language in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poorly regarded

Focuses on the negative assessment or judgment associated with the subject.

underestimated

Highlights the act of valuing something or someone lower than their actual worth.

undervalued

Emphasizes the insufficient value attributed to someone or something.

overlooked

Indicates that something or someone has been missed or ignored.

dismissed

Stresses the act of rejecting or disregarding something, often without proper consideration.

given little thought

Focuses on the lack of mental effort or attention directed towards something.

not taken seriously

Highlights the absence of a serious attitude or treatment towards something.

held in low esteem

Emphasizes a lack of respect or admiration for the subject.

considered insignificant

Focuses on the perception of something as not being important or meaningful.

thought little of

Implies a negative or dismissive opinion about someone or something.

FAQs

What does "lightly regarded" mean?

The phrase "lightly regarded" means something or someone is considered to be of little importance, value, or significance. It often implies a degree of underestimation.

How can I use "lightly regarded" in a sentence?

You can use "lightly regarded" to describe a team, player, idea, or object that is not taken seriously or is underestimated. For example: "The "lightly regarded team" surprised everyone by winning the championship."

What are some alternatives to "lightly regarded"?

You can use alternatives like "underestimated", "undervalued", or "poorly regarded" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "lightly regarded" formal or informal?

"Lightly regarded" is generally considered appropriate for neutral to slightly informal contexts, such as news articles or sports commentary. More formal contexts may benefit from alternatives like "underestimated" or "given little thought".