contemn

verb

kən-ˈtem How to pronounce contemn (audio)
Definition of contemnnext
as in to disdain
to show contempt for arrogant critics who contemn the general public's taste in art

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 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
  1. disdain
  2. hate
  3. disrespect
  4. despise
  5. scorn
Verb
  • Scrutiny of Flock and other surveillance providers was largely bipartisan at the hearing, as did disdain for the company leaders not appearing.
    — Garrett Downs, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Other liberal economists disdain labor share as a useful metric, or see it as a distraction from sober policy analysis.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of disdain
Verb
  • Well… The inhabitants of Étretat [where the series was partly filmed] hate us a little bit.
    — Baptiste Mandrillon, Time, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Today’s recipe Love it or hate it, candy corn is the second most popular Halloween candy, after chocolate.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of hate
Verb
  • To Cardenas, and other members of her community, the mural disrespected both Vietnamese and Filipino cultures.
    — Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Supporters of the action claim that walking over the plaques disrespects victims, but Jewish leaders and German officials condemned the decision as an attack on the country’s culture of remembrance.
    — Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of disrespect
Verb
  • For example, Scalia famously cast the deciding vote in 1989 to hold unconstitutional a law criminalizing burning the American flag despite being a big patriot and despising such activities.
    — Brian Fitzpatrick, The Conversation, 28 Sep. 2026
  • In both projects, she was tasked not only with playing the same person from young adulthood to maturity, but also with bringing new dimension to a literary character whom readers have misguidedly despised for decades.
    — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of despise
Verb
  • The investors among this small and scorned generation, now aged 45-61, are watching markets play out on their screens and constantly see the plot parallels with past cycles.
    — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 22 Sep. 2026
  • On a fictional highway in 1958, a Cadillac became badly scorned by a little Nash Rambler.
    — Jody Mamone, Hartford Courant, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of scorn

Browse Nearby Words

contaminations
contemn
contemned
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Cite this Entry

“Contemn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemn. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All