show contempt for

USAGE SUMMARY

'show contempt for' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when expressing a negative attitude towards someone or something. For example, "She always showed contempt for those who disagreed with her opinion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

The homeless campers do not show contempt for anything.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Republicans continue to show contempt for any reasonable compromise on health care.

The New York Times

About one-third of the members of the current Knesset show contempt for democracy's moral contents".

The Guardian - Opinion

While the metropolitan elite likes to show contempt for authority, outside the M25 we like to respect it.

The Guardian

The Shas, United Torah Judaism and National Union parties, and others, "show contempt for human rights" and display authoritarian tendencies.

The Guardian - Opinion

One-sided conversations are particularly offensive and show contempt for the recipients because the recipients are unable to respond.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

I feel it's a little like a self-help Open University this BBC-showing-contempt-for-its-customers business!

BBC

It shows contempt for the democratic process.

The New York Times

It showed contempt for his audience.

The New Yorker

Both showed contempt for unfriendly federal judges.

The Guardian

Mr. Moore's judicial record shows contempt for the law.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "show contempt for" to clearly convey a strong feeling of disrespect or disdain. Ensure the context supports such a strong sentiment.

Common error

Avoid using "show contempt for" when a milder expression of disagreement or disapproval is more appropriate. Overusing this phrase can make your writing sound overly harsh.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "show contempt for" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action of displaying a strong negative emotion towards someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. The examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "show contempt for" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a strong feeling of disrespect or disdain. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It's primarily used in news and media, and while its register is generally neutral, being mindful of the intensity when choosing a substitute is important because overusing it can be overly harsh. Alternatives such as "display disdain for" or "express scorn for" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Be sure to consider the intensity of the emotion that it is describing. Ludwig examples demonstrate that "show contempt for" is a powerful tool to convey negativity, but care should be taken not to overuse or misuse it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

display disdain for

Replaces "show contempt" with "display disdain", emphasizing the outward manifestation of contempt.

hold in contempt

Changes the verb to "hold", indicating a sustained feeling of contempt.

express scorn for

Uses "express scorn" instead of "show contempt", focusing on the verbal or written communication of contempt.

demonstrate disrespect for

Substitutes "show contempt" with "demonstrate disrespect", highlighting the lack of respect shown.

exhibit disregard for

Replaces "show contempt" with "exhibit disregard", underscoring the lack of consideration or attention given.

treat with disdain

Alters the structure to "treat with disdain", shifting the focus to the manner of treatment.

look down on

Uses the idiomatic expression "look down on", implying a feeling of superiority.

have a low opinion of

Expresses a negative judgment or assessment, indicating a lack of respect or admiration.

scoff at

Uses the verb "scoff at", suggesting mockery and derision.

belittle

Focuses on actions or words that diminish the importance or value of something.

FAQs

How can I use "show contempt for" in a sentence?

You can use "show contempt for" to indicate a strong feeling of disrespect or disdain. For example, "The politician's actions showed contempt for the voters' concerns."

What are some alternatives to "show contempt for"?

You can use alternatives like "display disdain for", "express scorn for", or "demonstrate disrespect for" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "show contempt for" or "have contempt for"?

Both "show contempt for" and "have contempt for" are correct. "Show contempt for" emphasizes the outward expression of the feeling, while "have contempt for" focuses on the internal feeling itself.

What's the difference between "show contempt for" and "show disrespect for"?

"Show contempt for" implies a stronger feeling of disdain and scorn, while "show disrespect for" suggests a lack of politeness or consideration. The intensity of the negative feeling is higher in "show contempt for".