sheer contempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sheer contempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an intense or absolute feeling of disdain or disrespect towards someone or something. Example: "His actions were met with sheer contempt from the audience, who could not believe his audacity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Zidane's stare communicates his sheer contempt for Materazzi and his words.

The Guardian - Sport

"If you want an example of the political elite's sheer contempt for the working class then this incident has it in shedloads".

The Guardian

In desperation, his parents sent him off to a posh boarding school, where the headmaster told him he was "hopeless" and he developed a "sheer contempt for authority".

The New York Times

Many television critics expressed sheer contempt for "Fear Factor," the new NBC reality program in which contestants are challenged to perform extreme stunts -- like climbing into a pit filled with rats -- for a cash prize.

The New York Times

He details the sheer contempt the Bushies showed toward the State Department (and Colin Powell), the great expansion of vice presidential power, and the way Donald Rumsfeld effectively silenced the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The New York Times

More than anything, Civil Exchange demonstrates the coalition's sheer contempt for civil society, right from the start: billions of pounds cut from charity grants (small, local charities losing most); restrictions against civil society's right to challenge policy through the courts, and the voluntary sector's ability to speak out on behalf of the people it works with.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

What is most scary about this excerpt is not the sheer disgust and contempt that leaps from it, but rather that it distinctly reminds me of some academic work on Hinduism, albeit in a less eloquent, more baldfaced form.

Huffington Post

For months, while his rivals in Washington looked on with a mixture of growing contempt and sheer incredulity, Howard Dean went off on the Democratic Party.

The New York Times - Magazine

Only two episodes in, the show has set off a wave of outrage, contempt and sheer mortification among parents in the world of private schools in New York, already no stranger to bad press.

The New York Times

He was criticizing García, of course, condemning him for his sheer disregard of the guidelines, his contempt for any form of competition.

The New Yorker

In countries such as Italy, Spain, France and, increasingly, Germany, the contempt felt for the sheer volume of regulations that oppress business means that it is virtually impossible to succeed without systematic evasion of the law.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sheer contempt" when you want to emphasize the intensity and completeness of the contempt being felt. It's stronger than simply saying "contempt."

Common error

Avoid using "sheer" indiscriminately as an intensifier. "Sheer" works best when emphasizing the completeness or purity of a feeling or state. Using it with other nouns may sound awkward. For example, instead of "sheer happiness", consider "pure joy" or "unadulterated bliss".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sheer contempt" functions as a noun phrase that describes a feeling. It is used to express a strong, unadulterated form of disdain or disrespect. As Ludwig AI indicates, it communicates an intense and absolute feeling.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sheer contempt" is a powerful expression used to convey an intense and complete feeling of disdain or disrespect. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and appropriate for use in written English. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, indicating its suitability for describing strong reactions to events or actions. While other phrases like "utter disdain" or "absolute scorn" can serve as alternatives, "sheer contempt" specifically emphasizes the unadulterated and overwhelming nature of the emotion. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the impact you wish to have, ensuring that it aligns with the context and your intended message. Avoid overusing "sheer" as a general intensifier; reserve it for instances where you truly want to highlight the completeness of the emotion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utter disdain

Emphasizes the completeness and lack of respect.

absolute scorn

Highlights the feeling of intense dislike and rejection.

complete loathing

Focuses on the intense aversion and hatred.

unmitigated disgust

Stresses the lack of any positive aspect in the feeling.

deep-seated revulsion

Indicates a profound and ingrained feeling of repugnance.

outright detestation

Highlights the open and unequivocal nature of the hatred.

profound antipathy

Emphasizes a strong and inherent dislike.

intense aversion

Focuses on the strong desire to avoid something.

unreserved abhorrence

Highlights the complete lack of reservation in the feeling of disgust.

total repugnance

Emphasizes the complete and utter feeling of disgust.

FAQs

How to use "sheer contempt" in a sentence?

You can use "sheer contempt" to describe an intense feeling of disdain or disrespect. For example, "His actions were met with "sheer contempt" from the audience".

What can I say instead of "sheer contempt"?

You can use alternatives like "utter disdain", "absolute scorn", or "complete loathing" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "sheer contempt"?

While "contempt" itself implies a strong feeling, "sheer contempt" emphasizes the intensity and completeness of that feeling, making it a more forceful expression.

What's the difference between "sheer contempt" and "mild contempt"?

"Sheer contempt" suggests an intense and overwhelming feeling of disdain, whereas "mild contempt" indicates a less severe and more tempered feeling of disrespect. They represent opposite ends of the spectrum of contempt.