DISDAINFUL Synonyms: 196 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'disdainful' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of disdainful are arrogant , haughty , insolent , lordly , overbearing , proud , and supercilious . While all these words mean "showing scorn for inferiors," disdainful suggests a more active and openly scornful superciliousness. // disdainful of their social inferiors

Q: When might 'arrogant' be a better fit than 'disdainful'?

The synonyms arrogant and disdainful are sometimes interchangeable, but arrogant implies a claiming for oneself of more consideration or importance than is warranted. // a conceited and arrogant executive

Q: Where would 'haughty' be a reasonable alternative to 'disdainful'?

While in some cases nearly identical to disdainful , haughty suggests a consciousness of superior birth or position. // a haughty aristocrat

Q: In what contexts can 'insolent' take the place of 'disdainful'?

Although the words insolent and disdainful have much in common, insolent implies contemptuous haughtiness. // ignored by an insolent waiter

Q: When can 'lordly' be used instead of 'disdainful'?

The words lordly and disdainful can be used in similar contexts, but lordly implies pomposity or an arrogant display of power. // a lordly condescension

Q: When could 'overbearing' be used to replace 'disdainful'?

The meanings of overbearing and disdainful largely overlap; however, overbearing suggests a tyrannical manner or an intolerable insolence. // an overbearing supervisor

Q: When would 'proud' be a good substitute for 'disdainful'?

In some situations, the words proud and disdainful are roughly equivalent. However, proud may suggest an assumed superiority or loftiness. // too proud to take charity

Q: When is 'supercilious' a more appropriate choice than 'disdainful'?

The words supercilious and disdainful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, supercilious implies a cool, patronizing haughtiness. // an aloof and supercilious manner

disdainful

adjective

dis-ˈdān-fəl

Definition of disdainful next

as in contemptuous

feeling or showing open dislike for someone or something regarded as undeserving of respect or concern a disdainful attitude toward people who work as waiters and waitresses

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in proud

having or displaying feelings of scorn for what is regarded as beneath oneself disdainful of manual labor of any kind

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in slighting

intended to make a person or thing seem of little importance or value disdainful remarks regarding the cheap clothes that the local people were wearing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective disdainful differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of disdainful are arrogant, haughty, insolent, lordly, overbearing, proud, and supercilious. While all these words mean "showing scorn for inferiors," disdainful suggests a more active and openly scornful superciliousness.

disdainful of their social inferiors

When might arrogant be a better fit than disdainful?

The synonyms arrogant and disdainful are sometimes interchangeable, but arrogant implies a claiming for oneself of more consideration or importance than is warranted.

a conceited and arrogant executive

Where would haughty be a reasonable alternative to disdainful?

While in some cases nearly identical to disdainful, haughty suggests a consciousness of superior birth or position.

a haughty aristocrat

In what contexts can insolent take the place of disdainful?

Although the words insolent and disdainful have much in common, insolent implies contemptuous haughtiness.

ignored by an insolent waiter

When can lordly be used instead of disdainful?

The words lordly and disdainful can be used in similar contexts, but lordly implies pomposity or an arrogant display of power.

a lordly condescension

When could overbearing be used to replace disdainful?

The meanings of overbearing and disdainful largely overlap; however, overbearing suggests a tyrannical manner or an intolerable insolence.

an overbearing supervisor

When would proud be a good substitute for disdainful?

In some situations, the words proud and disdainful are roughly equivalent. However, proud may suggest an assumed superiority or loftiness.

too proud to take charity

When is supercilious a more appropriate choice than disdainful?

The words supercilious and disdainful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, supercilious implies a cool, patronizing haughtiness.

an aloof and supercilious manner

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 disdainful Greer’s disdainful, stuck-up lines ooze out of Kidman’s mouth. —

Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2024 As for the United States’ messianic mission, Trump is disdainful of the activist brand of democracy promotion embraced under American Exceptionalism 2.0. —

Charles A. Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2018 And in thinking about it, contemplate why members or the right in particular are so disdainful of tax withholding: the theoretically quiet (and automatic) nature of it somewhat shrinks the pain of paying taxes. —

John Tamny, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2024 This rhetorical style is most likely to direct explicitly disdainful language at democracy itself. —

Christopher Miller, The Conversation, 8 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for disdainful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disdainful

Adjective

Evie, who has recently married another woman, is contemptuous of a religion that doesn’t hold space for her identity.

Alex Jhamb Burns, Vogue, 16 Dec. 2024
Reporters circle, looking for a chance to embarrass the military for accepting Black women into its ranks, while male colleagues are openly disrespectful, with Gen. Halt (Dean Norris) setting a contemptuous example from the top.

Peter Debruge, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024