SCORN Synonyms: 151 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

scorn 1 of 2

noun

ˈskȯrn

Definition of scorn

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

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scorn

2 of 2

verb

ˈskȯrn

as in to disdain

to show contempt for scorned the religious traditions of their ancestors

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as in to despise

to ignore in a disrespectful manner she scorned the advice of her ophthalmologist and had the laser eye surgery anyway

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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

Yet still, economists, pundits, and politicians continue to heap endless scorn on the Fed for not seeing into the future back in 2019 and 2020, only to not intervene in the marketplace to ensure prices didn’t rise. — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 Hamas has especially faced years of international scorn for stealing humanitarian aid to enrich itself and fuel its operations. — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 23 July 2026

Verb

Yes, the parent and teacher-scorned Roblox took Tung Tung Sahur down for a spell, giving Mementum a brief win. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026 The target of the anger and scorn in all the insulting posters, slogans, and graffiti of the protest zone was not the education minister but Modi himself. — Asim Ali, Time, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scorn

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scorn

Noun

In Wednesday’s court filing, attorneys for the detainees asked a federal judge to hold the government in civil contempt for violating the order and to impose daily fines of $500 for each violation until they are addressed.

— Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
Congress could claw back some of its authority if committee chairs were prepared to subpoena those who refuse to testify, direct witnesses to answer pertinent questions, and pursue contempt proceedings against uncooperative witnesses.

— David Wippman, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of contempt

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

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

Noun

With their feelings for each other blossoming, the two go out for dinner, which is full of Rushville patrons with lingering hatred for Hal.

— Jordan Moreau, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
Yasmin Soares, a Lula supporter, told Kahn that Bolsonaro's strong performance is scary and that the right brings hatred.

— Brittney Melton, NPR, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of hatred

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

Attorneys for the Wilton Rancheria have argued that the 2017 agreement explicitly said the tribe’s code would govern labor relations at the casino, and disregarding that labor code would disregard the tribe’s sovereignty.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Portraits of young female military spotters, whose warnings about a potential attack were disregarded, mark their deaths that day.

— Cara Anna, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of disregard

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scorned

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

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