treated with contempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "treated with contempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is regarded with disdain or disrespect. Example: "The employee felt that their ideas were consistently treated with contempt during meetings, leading to frustration and disengagement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ordinary Syrians are treated with contempt.

Independent

Small shareholders were treated with contempt.

The Economist

Staff are treated with contempt!

The Guardian - Tech

"We have been treated with contempt".

The Guardian

In some cases, Mr. Putin's challengers are treated with contempt.

The New York Times

The dignity of the heart assigned to it from ancient time was treated with contempt as a but empty phrase.

Annals of Anatomy - Anatomischer Anzeiger

Although River deny prior knowledge, Conmebol's regulations were treated with contempt.

The Guardian - Sport

When some of those demonstrators appeared on television later, they were treated with contempt and skepticism.

The New York Times

If you were seen to be failing in that, you were treated with contempt".

The Guardian

It is not only democracy that the government has treated with contempt but the British public.

The Guardian - Opinion

Consequently, the European Union is largely ignored or even treated with contempt by the United States.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger verbs like 'scorned' or 'demeaned' for increased emphasis if the situation warrants it.

Common error

Avoid using "treated with contempt" when an active construction would be more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "The suggestion was treated with contempt", try "They dismissed the suggestion with contempt".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "treated with contempt" functions as a passive construction indicating how someone or something is regarded. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and usable phrase in English. The phrase generally describes a situation where something or someone is dealt with disdain or disrespect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "treated with contempt" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a situation where someone or something is regarded with disdain or disrespect. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media, to express disapproval or highlight a lack of consideration. While alternatives like "regarded with disdain" or "viewed with scorn" exist, "treated with contempt" effectively conveys a sense of intense dislike and disrespect. Remember to be mindful of context and audience when using this phrase, and consider whether a more direct, active construction might be more impactful. The phrase has neutral register and appears more in the news, science and formal business contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regarded with disdain

Focuses on the feeling or attitude of scorn.

viewed with scorn

Highlights the act of looking down upon someone or something.

looked down upon

Emphasizes the feeling of superiority and disrespect.

held in low esteem

Indicates a lack of respect or value.

disregarded

Implies being ignored or dismissed.

belittled

Highlights the act of making someone feel insignificant.

demeaned

Stresses the act of lowering someone's dignity.

disrespected

Focuses on the lack of courtesy and honor shown.

scorned

Emphasizes the expression of contemptuous feelings.

undervalued

Highlights that the true worth of someone or something has not been acknowledged.

FAQs

How can I use "treated with contempt" in a sentence?

You can use "treated with contempt" to describe how someone or something is regarded with disrespect. For example, "The proposal was "treated with contempt" by the board of directors".

What are some alternatives to "treated with contempt"?

Alternatives include "regarded with disdain", "viewed with scorn", or "looked down upon", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "treated with contempt" or "treated with disrespect"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "treated with contempt" implies a stronger feeling of disdain and scorn than "treated with disrespect", which can simply mean a lack of politeness.

What does it mean when someone is "treated with contempt"?

It signifies that the person is being regarded or handled with a feeling of intense dislike and disrespect, as if they are worthless or insignificant.