looked down upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looked down upon" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used in the context of someone or something being judged negatively. For example: "The small town looked down upon outsiders with suspicion and disdain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It was looked down upon".

The New Yorker

"You're always looked down upon".

The New York Times

"Las Vegas is always looked down upon.

The New Yorker

I was willing to be shunned and looked down upon.

The New York Times

Haughty Senior looked down upon them with disdain.

The New Yorker

"Opponents looked down upon Chinese players before," he has said.

The New Yorker

"Before, our fashion designers looked down upon cinema costume designing.

The New York Times

Here prostitution, though legal, is looked down upon.

The New York Times

They are looked down upon and harassed, she said.

The New York Times

"Girls are looked down upon in Afghanistan," Ms. Naderi said.

The New York Times

And the assemblage of petroglyphs looked down upon it all.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "looked down upon", ensure the subject and object are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "That behavior is looked down upon", specify who is doing the looking down and on whom: "That behavior is looked down upon by society."

Common error

Avoid using "looked down upon" in a passive voice construction without clarifying who is doing the looking down. This can create vagueness and weaken the impact of your statement. Always strive to make the subject clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "looked down upon" functions as a passive construction to express that a subject is regarded as inferior or contemptible by others. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

26%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "looked down upon" is a phrasal verb used in the passive voice to indicate that someone or something is regarded as inferior or contemptible. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, scientific publications and on wikis, suggesting a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who is doing the looking down. Alternatives such as "regarded with disdain" or "considered inferior" can be used to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regarded with disdain

This alternative emphasizes the feeling of contempt someone holds.

held in contempt

This suggests a strong feeling of disapproval and disrespect.

thought of poorly

This is a more general and less intense way to express disapproval.

considered inferior

This focuses on the belief that something or someone is of lower quality or status.

treated with disrespect

This emphasizes the action of showing a lack of respect.

held in low esteem

This suggests a lack of respect and admiration.

disregarded

This means to treat something or someone as unimportant.

belittled

This implies making someone feel unimportant or insignificant.

devalued

This focuses on reducing the perceived worth or importance of something.

despised

This indicates a strong feeling of dislike and contempt.

FAQs

How can I use "looked down upon" in a sentence?

"Looked down upon" is used to describe something or someone that is regarded as inferior or contemptible. For example, "In many cultures, being unemployed is "looked down upon"."

What's the difference between "looked down upon" and "despised"?

While both terms indicate disapproval, ""looked down upon"" implies a sense of superiority and condescension, whereas "despised" suggests a stronger feeling of hatred or loathing.

What can I say instead of "looked down upon"?

You can use alternatives like "regarded with disdain", "held in contempt", or "considered inferior" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "look down on" instead of "looked down upon"?

"Look down on" is the active form of the phrasal verb, meaning to regard someone or something as inferior. "Looked down upon" is the passive form, indicating that someone or something is being regarded as inferior by others. Both are grammatically correct but have different meanings.