as in contempt
open dislike for someone or something considered unworthy of one's concern or respect
has nothing but scorn for newfangled ideas of any kind
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to disdain
to show contempt for
scorned the religious traditions of their ancestors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to despise
to ignore in a disrespectful manner
she scorned the advice of her ophthalmologist and had the laser eye surgery anyway
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 May 2026
Those who know better but act badly deserve the scorn of the people — maybe more than the lunatic-in-chief.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 May 2026
By then the Illinois-breds — the subject of so much ridicule and scorn when the race-a-day was introduced — had become a success story.
—Neil Milbert, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scorn
Noun
Throughout the presentation, Yeager and a few outspoken members of the audience mentioned with scorn that voters have removed many school board trustees like-minded to Yeager in the last few years.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 May 2026
Those who know better but act badly deserve the scorn of the people — maybe more than the lunatic-in-chief.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Verb
At a raucous commission meeting Tuesday, City Manager Rickelle Williams faced a storm of withering accusations in her initial job evaluation — mostly from Mayor Dean Trantalis, who eagerly supported hiring Williams last year but now scorns her in public.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 May 2026
By then the Illinois-breds — the subject of so much ridicule and scorn when the race-a-day was introduced — had become a success story.
—Neil Milbert, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scorn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scorn
Noun
-
Pablo Andres Aguilera Mora, 46, is being held in the Santa Clara County Main Jail for criminal charges including murder, assault with a deadly weapon, dissuading a witness and contempt of court, according to court records.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
17 June 2026
-
The motion concluded an untainted special counsel was necessary because the issues involved allegations of contempt and misconduct at high levels in the Justice Department.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
These days, sports gambling is legal in 39 states, accessible on your phone app in 30 and, in dozens of places, actually paying millions in sponsorship deals to the very college programs that disdain this kind of activity by their players.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 June 2026
-
As was ever the case, the Babe returned fire, answering the heckles by mocking the Cubs players and disdaining their fans.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
The traditional vuvuzela has been loved by some fans and despised by others.—
Kenny Choi,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
-
The philosopher and theologian David Bentley Hart says that Christianity brought a moral revolution to a world that assessed a person’s value based on things such as birth, class, and power, where the weak were despised.—
Peter Wehner,
The Atlantic,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
His sophisticated taste and hatred for carbs always brought a little humor to the job.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 June 2026
-
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, has called for calm, but several far-right personalities in Great Britain and the United States—including Elon Musk—have used the attack to foment hatred against immigrants.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
From disrespecting local customs and getting pickpocketed to forgetting to reapply sunscreen and overpacking, European tour guides have truly seen it all.—
Jillian Dara,
Travel + Leisure,
5 June 2026
-
Matt Cardona interrupted the chat and Zayn tried to show Gargano he was still getting disrespected.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Refs opted to disregard the blatant flagrant foul and the usually stoic Brunson erupted, chasing after the officials before turning on his heel in a fury and returning to the bench.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
-
Alabama ended the practice of judicial override in 2017 and no longer allows a judge to disregard a jury’s sentencing decision in death penalty cases.—
Kim Chandler,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
For anyone who loves the look of heels but hates the discomfort that usually comes with them, these Vivaia mid-heels offer a refreshing alternative.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
11 June 2026
-
Whether Washington's political class loves it or hates it, the White House lawn is about to host one of the wildest sports spectacles in American history.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scorn. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
