scorn 1 of 2

scorn

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb scorn differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of scorn are contemn, despise, and disdain. While all these words mean "to regard as unworthy of one's notice or consideration," scorn implies a ready or indignant contempt.

scorns the very thought of retirement

When might contemn be a better fit than scorn?

The words contemn and scorn can be used in similar contexts, but contemn implies a vehement condemnation of a person or thing as low, vile, feeble, or ignominious.

contemns the image of women promoted by advertisers

Where would despise be a reasonable alternative to scorn?

The synonyms despise and scorn are sometimes interchangeable, but despise may suggest an emotional response ranging from strong dislike to loathing.

despises cowards

When is disdain a more appropriate choice than scorn?

In some situations, the words disdain and scorn are roughly equivalent. However, disdain implies an arrogant or supercilious aversion to what is regarded as unworthy.

disdained popular music

Example 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 scorn
Noun
In the case of Hegseth, the power of party loyalty is compounded by three additional factors: fear of President Donald Trump, the cult of MAGA and the boomerang effect of liberal scorn. Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025 Musk, Zuckerberg and Bezos will have ringside seats for Trump's inauguration Bezos and other CEOs have come under fire for removing DEI -- diversity, equity and inclusion -- initiatives, a target of conservative scorn. Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
Bezos’s ownership of The Washington Post, a publication that made a name for itself during Trump’s first term with aggressive coverage of the former president, has earned him regular scorn from conservative critics. Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 13 Jan. 2025 Trump has long scorned the very notion of domestic extremism, dismissing it as overblown or invented. Will Carless, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for scorn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scorn
Noun
  • In 1957, he was indicted by a federal grand jury on 10 counts of contempt and, after years of legal wrangling, in 1961, convicted and sentenced to a year in prison.
    Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2025
  • The lowest score is reserved for expressions of contempt and calls for violence against one’s opponents; the highest is awarded to those treating others with dignity.
    Kellen Browning, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • But the Gaza proposal should be seen in the context of a president who believes fervently in his own power of persuasion, who disdains traditional diplomacy, and whose Mideast envoy is a businessman with no experience in that field.
    Howard LaFranchi, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Feb. 2025
  • For the Post’s editorial board to disdain substantial Chinese production for the rest of the world is for those same editorialists to disdain the division of labor that is at the root of all productive advance.
    John Tamny, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Among the many things Kingsley Amis despised was the notion that a writer might regard himself as an artist.
    Rachel Cusk, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
  • Hart despises him and his blundering height, despises the hokey sentimentality of Oklahoma!
    Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Flanked by cardboard cutouts of the 37th U.S. President bowling, the brothers discuss much more than their hatred of the man, including dropping out of law school, pro sports, and credit cards.
    Will DiGravio, TIME, 21 Feb. 2025
  • Our region has enough violence, hatred and incitement without more being added from the outside.
    Beren Cross, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Most of your editorials, John Brummett, Rex Nelson, and John Deering, are blatant Trump haters, and their smug, condescending echo-chamber mindsets are constantly denigrating, mocking, and disrespecting at least 64 percent of your potential readers.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 15 Feb. 2025
  • But through some sort of patriarchy calculus, all Smith seemed to see was a woman disrespecting her husband, somehow.
    Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 11 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • This is where disregarded athletes and teams across time have overcome seemingly impossible odds to achieve greatness.
    Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2025
  • Such a change has already run aground with fiscal hawks in the House, who share the Senate antipathy toward congressional scorekeepers but are unwilling to completely disregard their rules.
    Andrew Duehren, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The memories Adria had drawn upon to make this part work—not just memories of a gesture or a look but of the moments when Lisa, when Lindy, just hated her.
    Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 17 Feb. 2025
  • Bryant famously hated when teammates would show up out of shape.
    Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Scorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scorn. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

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