as in disdain
open dislike for someone or something considered unworthy of one's concern or respect
my undying contempt for people who abuse animals
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Recent Examples of contempt
Ben Moore, the company’s other co-founder and Drue’s cousin, previously was incarcerated in Colorado after being found in contempt during divorce proceedings with his now ex-wife, who accused him of hiding millions of dollars of marital assets related to Winthrop Intelligence.
—
Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 31 Mar. 2026
To be sure, many Jews in America hold ambivalent views, feeling both a connection to Israel and a contempt for the Netanyahu government.
—Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Some for the better, some just curious, some with a straight-up contempt for anything but the local chili flavors or hotpot broth.
—Todd Williams, Baltimore Sun, 27 Mar. 2026
At the same time, evangelists of a robust atheism—figures such as the biologist Richard Dawkins, the critic Christopher Hitchens, and the neuroscientist Sam Harris—toured the country offending salt-of-the-earth Americans with their contempt for religious belief.
—Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contempt
Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 31 Mar. 2026
To be sure, many Jews in America hold ambivalent views, feeling both a connection to Israel and a contempt for the Netanyahu government.
—Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Some for the better, some just curious, some with a straight-up contempt for anything but the local chili flavors or hotpot broth.
—Todd Williams, Baltimore Sun, 27 Mar. 2026
At the same time, evangelists of a robust atheism—figures such as the biologist Richard Dawkins, the critic Christopher Hitchens, and the neuroscientist Sam Harris—toured the country offending salt-of-the-earth Americans with their contempt for religious belief.
—Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contempt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contempt
Noun
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The Slovenian star shook his head in disdain after whiffing on a 3-point attempt from the top of the key, the ball falling well short of the rim.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
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There is unbelievable disdain and resentment and anger toward this woman.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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What was disturbing were people who sped past a foot away from elderly people, shouting obscenities with faces twisted in hatred.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
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Këkht Aräkh is not unique in his loneliness; the pain of being alone is as thematically central to DSBM as the hatred of Christianity.—
Sadie Sartini Garner,
Pitchfork,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contempt. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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