negative connotation

USAGE SUMMARY

"negative connotation" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe words, phrases, or tones of speech that express a negative feeling or attitude. For example, "His response had a negative connotation that soured the mood in the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"People made it a negative connotation".

The New York Times

Foam gets kind of a negative connotation.

The New York Times - Food

"And she gets this negative connotation.

The Guardian - Sport

"Print media, there's a real negative connotation".

The New York Times

Thus bilingualism, an advantage, takes a negative connotation.

The New York Times

"To a lot of people, Boo carries a negative connotation.

The New York Times

The word "hacker" had acquired a specific and negative connotation.

The New Yorker

"It by and large has a negative connotation".

The New York Times

It's difficult to explain, but the phrase "man-dress" doesn't really contain a negative connotation.

The New York Times

For me, as an American black woman, feminism has a negative connotation here.

The Guardian - Music

It seems to have a negative connotation, not about the woman but about her situation".

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, be mindful of words that unintentionally carry a "negative connotation" within your target audience's cultural context.

Common error

Avoid using "negative connotation" when a simpler term like "negative meaning" or "bad association" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "negative connotation" functions as a noun phrase that describes a quality or characteristic of a word, phrase, or concept. It's used to identify that something carries an implied negative feeling or association. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "negative connotation" is a frequently used and grammatically sound expression to describe the unfavorable implications associated with words or concepts. Ludwig's analysis indicates that its usage is particularly prevalent in news and media, reflecting its role in analyzing and interpreting language. While generally neutral in register, writers should be mindful of potentially simpler alternatives in certain contexts. The presence of numerous examples in Ludwig confirms its widespread acceptance and applicability across diverse writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

negative implication

Focuses on the negative consequences or results suggested.

unfavorable implication

Focuses more on the implied meaning being undesirable.

pejorative sense

Highlights the derogatory or disparaging aspect.

derogatory association

Emphasizes the belittling or disrespectful link.

unflattering nuance

Points out a subtle, yet unfavorable aspect.

undesirable overtone

Indicates an implicit negative quality or feeling.

bad vibe

An informal way of suggesting a negative feeling or impression.

negative coloring

Suggests that something is portrayed in a negative light.

tainted image

Implies that something's reputation has been negatively affected.

unpleasant suggestion

Highlights the unwelcome nature of the implied meaning.

FAQs

How to use "negative connotation" in a sentence?

You can use "negative connotation" to describe words or phrases that evoke unfavorable feelings or associations. For instance, "The term 'slacker' has a "negative connotation" because it implies laziness and lack of ambition".

What can I say instead of "negative connotation"?

You can use alternatives like "unfavorable implication", "pejorative sense", or "negative implication" depending on the context.

Does "negative connotation" apply only to words?

No, a "negative connotation" can apply to various elements beyond just words. It can refer to images, symbols, or even actions that evoke negative feelings or associations within a particular cultural or social context. The key aspect is the unfavorable or undesirable feeling attached to the element.

What's the difference between "negative connotation" and "denotation"?

"Denotation" refers to the literal or dictionary definition of a word, while "negative connotation" refers to the emotional or cultural associations attached to it. A word's denotation is neutral, but its "negative connotation" can influence how it's perceived.