scorn

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "scorn" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express disdain or contempt for someone or something. For example, "He looked at her with scorn for her lack of understanding of the situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

His rise from humble origins to leader of 1.25 billion people has inspired many – but also provoked scorn from elite politicians who have mocked his background.

The Guardian

The Hollywood film U-571 (2000), in which the Royal Navy's capture of an Enigma machine during the second world war is falsely attributed to an American crew (including chief engineer Jon Bon Jovi), was denounced in parliament by prime minister Tony Blair.

The Guardian - Film

U Myint Aye, aged 61, from Yangon, has a long track record of peaceful political activism.

The Guardian

Referring back to her iconic look in the Nothing Compares 2 U video – a huge international hit written by Prince – O'Connor admitted that she was asked by her label to reconsider her image for the 1990s video.

The Guardian - Music

In Britain, the US and France the top 1% have over the past 100 years seen their fortunes rise and fall and rise again in a U-shaped arc.

The Guardian - Business

Of these, Brundage sa id 85% – almost 600,000 – are unemployed even though many of them are employable.

The Guardian - Business

"This time it was União da Madeira, his eighth promotion, from the second division to the first tier (or seventh if we exclude last year as he was sacked before the end of the season): P. Ferreira 90-91, Académica 96-97, U. Leiria 97-98, Belenenses 98-99, Leixões 06-07, Arouca 12-13, Moreirense 13-14 and U. Madeira 14-15.

The Guardian - Sport

The U-6 number is around 13%, Yellen says.

The Guardian - Business

But on Thursday at an EU summit in Brussels, Luxembourg performed a U-turn and promised to hand over all the tax rulings to the commission after Vestager announced she was extending her inquiry to all 28 EU countries.

The Guardian

Indeed the pressure became so intense over the past 72 hours that the government was forced into an embarrassing U-turn over plans to cut allowances for younger disabled people in the republic.

The Guardian

"I guess it hurts 2 have the producers tell u to ur face that nicki is the best judge we've had since simon [cowell]," the rapper further tweeted.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scorn" to express a strong feeling of contempt or disdain. It's most effective when the feeling is profound and demonstrably justified.

Common error

Avoid using "scorn" in casual conversations or informal writing. It carries a weight of seriousness that can seem out of place in lighter contexts.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "scorn" is as a noun, referring to the feeling or expression of contempt or disdain. It can also function as a verb, meaning to treat someone or something with contempt or disdain. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scorn" functions primarily as a noun or verb to express strong contempt or disdain. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. While grammatically sound, its use is best reserved for situations where a clear expression of disapproval is warranted, typically in neutral or formal contexts. Related terms include "contempt", "disdain", and "derision". It’s vital to ensure that the intensity of "scorn" aligns with the context to avoid miscommunication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contempt

Expresses a feeling of disdain or disapproval for something considered worthless.

disdain

Indicates a feeling that someone or something is unworthy of one's consideration or respect.

derision

Implies ridicule or mockery.

mockery

Suggests making fun of something in a cruel or disrespectful way.

ridicule

Involves making someone or something the object of laughter or mockery.

contemptuousness

Denotes the state of feeling or expressing deep hatred or disapproval.

disrespect

Indicates a lack of respect or consideration.

disparagement

Suggests belittling or speaking slightingly about someone or something.

jeering

Involves shouting or laughing at someone in a mocking or taunting manner.

sneering

Implies a contemptuous or mocking smile, remark, or tone.

FAQs

How can I use "scorn" in a sentence?

You can use "scorn" to show strong contempt or disdain. For example: "He felt nothing but scorn for their actions."

What words are similar to "scorn"?

Alternatives to "scorn" include "contempt", "disdain", or "derision", each carrying slightly different nuances of disapproval.

Is it appropriate to use "scorn" in formal writing?

Yes, "scorn" is appropriate in formal writing when expressing a strong feeling of contempt or disdain, particularly when justified by the context.

What's the difference between "scorn" and "dislike"?

"Scorn" expresses a much stronger and more contemptuous feeling than simple "dislike". Dislike indicates a lack of preference, while scorn indicates deep disapproval and contempt.