disdainful

adjective

dis·​dain·​ful dis-ˈdān-fəl 

: full of or expressing contempt for someone or something regarded as unworthy or inferior : full of or expressing scorn or disdain

a disdainful glare

is disdainful of all modern art

disdainfully

dis-ˈdān-fə-lē 

adverb

disdainfulness noun

Synonyms of disdainful

• contemptuous
• scornful
• arrogant
• abhorrent
• malicious
• cruel
• fresh

Choose the Right Synonym for disdainful

proud, arrogant, haughty, lordly, insolent, overbearing, supercilious, disdainful mean showing scorn for inferiors.

proud may suggest an assumed superiority or loftiness.

too proud to take charity

arrogant implies a claiming for oneself of more consideration or importance than is warranted.

a conceited and arrogant executive

haughty suggests a consciousness of superior birth or position.

a haughty aristocrat

lordly implies pomposity or an arrogant display of power.

a lordly condescension

insolent implies contemptuous haughtiness.

ignored by an insolent waiter

overbearing suggests a tyrannical manner or an intolerable insolence.

an overbearing supervisor

supercilious implies a cool, patronizing haughtiness.

an aloof and supercilious manner

disdainful suggests a more active and openly scornful superciliousness.

disdainful of their social inferiors

Examples of disdainful in a Sentence

He looked at the waiter with a disdainful glare.

a disdainful attitude toward authority

Recent Examples on the Web

The girl's disdainful parents, unimpressed with her intelligence and independent spirit, decide to send her to Crunchem Hall, where the ruthless headmistress (Emma Thompson) specializes in bringing troublemaking tykes into line. —Danny Horn, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Feb. 2026

Yet whenever Bunny turns away from Frank to take a call from one of his underlings about the day-to-day violence and ugliness of their industry, a somewhat disdainful look passes across Frank’s face. —Noel Murray, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2025

Godchaux was a divisive figure among Grateful Dead devotees — many fans were frankly outright disdainful of her presence on stage. —Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 3 Nov. 2025

He’s been sullen all day, sunk in his collar, his face disdainful. —David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see disdain entry 2

First Known Use

circa 1542, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for disdainful

• gainful
• painful

Kids Definition

disdainful

adjective

dis·​dain·​ful dis-ˈdān-fəl 

: full of or expressing disdain

disdainfully

-fə-lē 

adverb

disdainfulness noun