contemn

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb contemn differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of contemn are despise, disdain, and scorn. While all these words mean "to regard as unworthy of one's notice or consideration," contemn implies a vehement condemnation of a person or thing as low, vile, feeble, or ignominious.

contemns the image of women promoted by advertisers

When is despise a more appropriate choice than contemn?

While the synonyms despise and contemn are close in meaning, despise may suggest an emotional response ranging from strong dislike to loathing.

despises cowards

When can disdain be used instead of contemn?

The words disdain and contemn can be used in similar contexts, but disdain implies an arrogant or supercilious aversion to what is regarded as unworthy.

disdained popular music

When might scorn be a better fit than contemn?

While in some cases nearly identical to contemn, scorn implies a ready or indignant contempt.

scorns the very thought of retirement

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of contemn Consequently, the Sadrists were contemned and discounted by Iraq’s liberal elite who form the core of the ICP. Benedict Robin, Washington Post, 7 June 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemn
Verb
  • As a student at The John Carroll School, Paula Etting disdained public office.
    Mike Klingaman, Baltimore Sun, 17 Aug. 2024
  • Good free-market neoliberals had historically disdained this idea, believing government attempts to meddle in the economy would have bad results.
    Andrew Prokop, Vox, 15 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Louis can hate himself for the rest of his life very easily without the help of anyone else.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 24 Dec. 2024
  • The history that made us into creatures capable of coöperation also gave us the capacity to hate one another in the aggregate, to draw sharp lines dividing the in-group from the out-group.
    Nikhil Krishnan, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Some readers appreciated the disclosure while others felt the introduction disrespected Gary Gygax, the person cited as the main creative force behind Dungeons & Dragons.
    Rob Wieland, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
  • Following the comment, many country music fans took to social media, expressing confusion and anger over the remark, which some interpreted as disrespecting Shaboozey.
    Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 24 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • White argues that the crypto industry has become a re-creation of much of what its original ideology claimed to despise.
    Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 11 Dec. 2024
  • Beatles ’64 captures how widely the band was despised at the time by the adult establishment, from Bob Hope to the British Embassy.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 26 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Republicans and a potential Democratic primary rivals for Hochul quickly scorned the plan as a political gimmick and a weak solution to a big problem.
    Chris McKenna, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024
  • Even high-ranking German politicians have scorned the Senate’s plan.
    Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The altercation started with Banks dissing Charli XCX (though really dissing Weho gays), and somehow ended with Healy threatening to slap Banks and Banks threatening to sue Healy.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 8 Dec. 2024
  • How to get Apple Music Replay As a collective, Apple Music listeners flocked to pop princesses and diss tracks this year, awarding Sabrina Carpenter and Kendrick Lamar top slots on the charts.
    Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 4 Dec. 2024

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Thesaurus Entries Near contemn

Cite this Entry

“Contemn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemn. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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