scorn for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scorn for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong feeling of contempt or disdain towards someone or something. Example: "Her scorn for the outdated policies was evident in her speech."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

There was particular scorn for glib sloganeering.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was Keegan's heroic scorn for disaster.

The Guardian

Why such scorn for this French higher caste?

The Economist

He's full of scorn for Connie's cheap and showy gesture.

The New Yorker

But please do save extra scorn for the owners.

The New York Times - Sports

Rosalind had nothing but scorn for this speculative approach.

The New Yorker

Perhaps the problem is scorn for the common plight.

The New York Times

With scorn for Mr. Diarra, the coup leader, Capt.

The New York Times

But Mr Miliband reserved his greatest scorn for Nick Clegg.

The Guardian

Sympathy for the slugger, scorn for the system.

The New York Times - Sports

Sometimes, basic scorn for the favourites will do.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about intense emotions, consider pairing "scorn for" with vivid descriptions to emphasize the strength of the feeling. For example: 'His "scorn for" hypocrisy burned like a wildfire.'

Common error

Avoid using "scorn for" when a milder term like "dislike of" or "lack of respect for" would be more appropriate. "Scorn" implies a strong, often indignant contempt, so ensure the context warrants such a strong emotion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scorn for" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase expressing a strong negative emotion, often indicating contempt or disdain. Ludwig examples show its use in conveying a critical or disapproving attitude towards a person, idea, or action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scorn for" is a prepositional phrase used to express strong contempt or disdain. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news and media. While it effectively conveys a strong negative emotion, it's important to ensure the context warrants such intensity, avoiding overstatement. Consider alternatives like "dislike of" or "lack of respect for" for milder sentiments. When used appropriately, "scorn for" can add significant impact to your writing, clearly communicating a critical or disapproving stance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contempt towards

Replaces "scorn" with "contempt" and "for" with "towards", maintaining a similar level of formality and intensity.

disdain for

Substitutes "scorn" with "disdain", offering a slightly more formal alternative with equivalent meaning.

aversion to

Replaces "scorn" with "aversion", indicating a strong dislike but potentially less intense than "scorn".

antipathy toward

Uses "antipathy" to convey a deep-seated dislike, and "toward" instead of "for", slightly altering the tone.

repugnance for

Employs "repugnance" to express strong disgust or aversion, intensifying the negative sentiment.

detestation of

Replaces "scorn" with "detestation", suggesting a more intense hatred or loathing.

loathing for

Substitutes "scorn" with "loathing", indicating a strong feeling of disgust and intense dislike.

dislike of

Presents a milder form of negativity, using "dislike" as a less intense alternative to "scorn".

lack of respect for

Indicates a deficiency in admiration or esteem, rather than an active feeling of contempt.

disapproval of

Expresses a negative judgment without necessarily implying strong contempt or disdain.

FAQs

How can I use "scorn for" in a sentence?

You can use "scorn for" to express a strong feeling of contempt or disdain. For example: "She had nothing but "scorn for" his outdated ideas."

What's a less intense alternative to "scorn for"?

If you want to express a milder sentiment, consider using phrases like "dislike of" or "lack of respect for".

How does "scorn for" differ from "contempt for"?

"Contempt for" is a very close synonym, both indicating a strong feeling of disapproval and looking down on something. The choice often depends on the specific nuance you want to convey and the overall tone of your writing.

Is "scorn for" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "scorn for" can be used in formal writing when the context calls for a strong expression of disdain or contempt. However, ensure that the tone remains appropriate for the formal setting.