object of contempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "object of contempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It means something or someone that is despised or hated by others. Example: The politician's corrupt actions made him an object of contempt among the public.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

His customer was an object of contempt.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Raymond" is that object of contempt among professed television sophisticates: a traditional family sitcom.

The New York Times - Arts

Dot is an object of contempt -- a mere dot, as Ellmann keeps reminding us.

The New York Times - Books

And yet, for all its beauty, Heaven's Gate is still an object of contempt.

The Guardian - Film

Fuller does not hide his bewilderment at how he has become an object of contempt and ridicule.

The New Yorker

Because he so often failed, he became an object of contempt, even hatred, among many from the corresponding part of the British political spectrum.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Where many politicians become objects of contempt or indifference over time, with Thurmond the reverse was true: the longer he lasted, the more revered he became.

The New York Times - Books

Her Vindication of the Rights of Women does exactly that, extending Macaulay's critique of Rousseau, and adding a great deal of further material criticising other authors who had contributed to rendering women objects of contempt.

SEP

Willes's objects of contempt included portentous, antiques, despicable, obsequious, homicide, destructive and prodigious, all of which he labelled "ink-horn terms" - a word itself now vanished from common usage, meaning an inkwell made out of horn.

BBC

More damningly still, because our decision to affirm who we are is viewed instead as the embracing of a degraded status, we become not merely fantasy objects of contempt, but criminally negligent citizens as well.

Huffington Post

Press coverage of this ugly war on Gaza has only served to remind us of the fundamental problem that has plagued the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since the very beginning: Israelis are seen as real individual people; while Palestinians are an abstraction -- objects of contempt, scorn, or pity -- but not real people with whom we can relate.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "object of contempt", ensure the context clearly establishes who holds the contempt and why. Providing specific details about the actions or qualities that lead to this feeling enhances the impact and clarity of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "object of contempt" when a milder term like "disappointment" or "disapproval" would be more appropriate. "Object of contempt" signifies a strong feeling of disdain, so ensure it aligns with the severity of the situation you are describing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "object of contempt" functions as a noun phrase, specifically a compound noun, acting as the direct object or subject complement in a sentence. It identifies something or someone as the recipient of strong negative feelings. Ludwig's examples showcase this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "object of contempt" is a noun phrase denoting someone or something viewed with strong disdain or hatred. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and used across various reliable sources, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it implies a deliberate and critical assessment. To ensure effective use, consider the intensity of the phrase and the specific reasons for the contempt. Alternatives like "figure of scorn" or "subject of derision" may be suitable depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

figure of scorn

Changes the noun to 'figure' emphasizing the person's role as a target of scorn rather than the abstract concept.

subject of derision

Replaces "contempt" with "derision", highlighting the mocking aspect of the negative feeling.

butt of ridicule

Indicates that someone is the target of mockery and laughter.

despised entity

Uses a more formal tone with 'entity' and 'despised', emphasizing the hatred felt.

person held in disdain

Emphasizes the feeling of disdain held by others towards the person.

one who is loathed

Focuses on the strong feeling of loathing directed at the individual.

target of aversion

Highlights the feeling of strong dislike and avoidance.

source of disgust

Shifts the focus to the feeling of disgust that the person or thing evokes.

anathema to

Uses a stronger term to indicate something intensely disliked or cursed.

pariah figure

Highlights the outcast status of someone viewed with contempt.

FAQs

How can I use "object of contempt" in a sentence?

You can use "object of contempt" to describe a person, group, or thing that is despised or hated by others. For example: "The politician's actions made him an "object of contempt" among voters."

What's a less intense way to describe someone disliked, other than "object of contempt"?

If you want to express dislike without the strong negativity of "object of contempt", consider alternatives like "source of disapproval", "figure of disappointment", or simply "unpopular figure" depending on the context.

What phrases are similar in meaning to "object of contempt"?

Similar phrases include "figure of scorn", "subject of derision", and "butt of ridicule". These all suggest someone or something is viewed negatively, though the specific shade of meaning varies slightly.

Is it ever appropriate to call a thing an "object of contempt"?

Yes, "object of contempt" can refer to a thing. For example, a building considered ugly or poorly designed might be described as an "object of contempt" by architectural critics.