out of contempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "out of contempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or feeling that arises from a feeling of disdain or scorn towards someone or something. Example: "She refused to help him out of contempt for his previous actions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Mr. Mason chose Las Vegas to complete the race largely out of contempt for the tourist destination, he said.

The New York Times

Once, last year, they sat not far from each other in the European Parliament chamber – but Merkel kept her gaze away, out of contempt.

The Guardian - Opinion

Not out of contempt for the festival, but because – as I wrote earlier this year – the prospect of an event so big, so overwhelming, so far from home terrified me.

The Guardian - Music

For underpinning her world of people is that of politics, in which Sontag is irrevocably involved, be it out of contempt for her mayor, Rudy Giuliani, or in reflection upon the left-wing ideology that propelled her youth.

The Guardian - Books

According to Aristotle, we laugh out of contempt for the "ridiculous".

Huffington Post

She says this not out of contempt, but as an admitted enabler.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Michael A. Chagares, chief of the civil division of the United States attorney's office, said no more penalties were being sought for excavation delays, but he refused to rule out contempt-of-court motions.

The New York Times

History or fantasy, 300 is an out-an-out racist diatribe worthy of contempt.

The Guardian - Opinion

The critic unequivocally trashed the whole project, singling me out for his strongest words of contempt.

The New Yorker

The court threw out an appeal against a ruling of contempt in Canterbury.

Vice

Penn's moonlighting shows a kind of contempt for journalism, which turns out to be rather difficult to do well.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "out of contempt", ensure the context clearly establishes the object or person being regarded with contempt. This strengthens the sentence's clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "out of contempt" when a milder term like "disagreement" or "disapproval" is more appropriate. Contempt implies a strong feeling of disdain and should be reserved for situations where such intensity is accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of contempt" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to explain the reason or motivation behind an action. It specifies that the action is performed because of a feeling of disdain or scorn. Ludwig examples showcase how it is used to explain choices or behaviors.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "out of contempt" is a prepositional phrase used to express that an action or feeling is motivated by disdain or scorn. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While not exceedingly common, it appears frequently in news and media, as well as academic writing, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly identifies what or whom the contempt is directed towards for maximum impact. Alternatives such as "from disdain" or "due to scorn" can be used to vary the language while maintaining a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

from disdain

Replaces "contempt" with a synonym, maintaining the preposition "from" instead of "out of".

stemming from contempt

Indicates the origin of the action, directly using the word "contempt".

driven by contempt

Highlights the driving force behind an action or feeling, using "contempt" directly.

fueled by contempt

Emphasizes the intensity of the feeling, using "contempt" directly.

due to scorn

Uses a causal connector "due to" and a synonym for contempt.

out of disrespect

Replaces "contempt" with "disrespect", focusing on a lack of regard.

motivated by disdain

Emphasizes the motivation behind the action, using "disdain" as a substitute for contempt.

prompted by scorn

Focuses on what initiated the action, substituting "contempt" with "scorn".

because of loathing

Employs a different causal conjunction and replaces "contempt" with "loathing".

born of disdain

Uses a more figurative expression to indicate origin, replacing "contempt" with "disdain".

FAQs

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

You can use "out of contempt" to describe a reason for an action rooted in disdain. For example, "He refused to acknowledge her success out of contempt for her methods."

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

You can use alternatives like "from disdain", "due to scorn", or "motivated by disdain" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "out of contempt" and "out of spite"?

"Out of contempt" implies a feeling of superiority and disdain, while "out of spite" suggests a desire to hurt or annoy someone. The motivation differs significantly.

Is "out of contempt" formal or informal?

"Out of contempt" leans towards a more formal register, suitable for analytical or descriptive writing where precision in conveying strong negative feelings is important. In casual conversation, simpler terms might be preferred.