scorn him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scorn him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing disdain or contempt towards someone, typically in a literary or formal context. Example: "Despite his achievements, many in the community chose to scorn him for his past mistakes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Anybody scorn him?

The New York Times

The author has battles, some of them frightening, with the prison guards, who mostly scorn him as a Harvard twerp.

The New York Times - Books

What if he really did mean what he said 2,000 years ago?" For this, the congregants scorn him.

The New York Times - Books

Likudniks scorn him as "Yossi Beilin with a beard," a reference to the ever-hopeful architect of the Oslo disaster.

The New York Times

He must respond with seeming toughness, lest Israelis scorn him for being weak; yet he must not use too much firepower, lest he fall into Arafat's wider-war trap.

The New York Times

In fairness to the prime minister, I am sure Mr Salmond, a resourceful man when it comes to abusing opponents, would have found a way to scorn him wherever Mr Cameron chose to speak.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

People would have scorned him.

The Guardian - Sport

Yet many critics have scorned him as too commercial.

The New York Times - Arts

The academic elite in Cuba initially scorned him for lacking a Ph.D.

The New York Times

The domestic staff had split into two different camps — some who scorned him and others who supported him.

The New York Times

Palestinian neighbors scorned him for delivering babies who would grow into the "soldiers who bomb us and shoot us".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scorn him" when you want to convey a strong feeling of disdain and contempt towards a specific person. This phrase is suitable for formal writing and literary contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "scorn him" in casual or informal conversations. It can sound overly dramatic or archaic. Opt for more common synonyms like "despise him" or "look down on him" in everyday speech.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scorn him" functions as a verb phrase where "scorn" is the verb expressing a strong feeling of contempt or disdain, and "him" is the object pronoun. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Books

20%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Sports

5%

Arts

5%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "scorn him" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to convey a strong feeling of contempt. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. While not extremely common, it's primarily found in formal writing, particularly in news, books, and opinion pieces. This phrase functions to express negative judgment, and while suitable for formal contexts, avoid using it in casual conversations as it could sound overly dramatic. Consider alternatives like "despise him" or "look down on him" depending on the desired effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

despise him

Replaces "scorn" with "despise", indicating a strong feeling of dislike and contempt.

have contempt for him

Replaces "scorn" with "contempt", emphasizing a feeling of disrespect and disapproval.

regard him with disdain

Expresses a formal way of showing contempt by regarding someone with disdain.

look down on him

Uses a phrasal verb to indicate a feeling of superiority and disdain.

treat him with contempt

Focuses on the action of treating someone with a lack of respect.

sneer at him

Uses the verb "sneer" to convey a facial expression of scorn and mockery.

mock him

Indicates the act of ridiculing or making fun of someone, often with scorn.

deride him

A more formal synonym for "mock", suggesting open criticism and ridicule.

reject him with contempt

Emphasizes the act of rejecting someone while also feeling contempt.

disparage him

Focuses on speaking negatively about someone, often with a sense of scorn.

FAQs

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

You can use "scorn him" to describe a strong feeling of contempt or disdain towards someone. For example: "The critics "scorn him" for his controversial opinions."

What are some alternatives to "scorn him"?

Alternatives to "scorn him" include "despise him", "look down on him", or "have contempt for him". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "scorn him" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "scorn him" is suitable for formal writing and literary contexts. It conveys a strong feeling of contempt and is often used in more sophisticated language.

What is the difference between "scorn him" and "dislike him"?

"Scorn him" implies a much stronger and more negative feeling than "dislike him". Scorn suggests a deep contempt and disdain, while dislike simply means not liking someone.