contempt

9 ENTRIES FOUND:

con·tempt

noun \kən-ˈtem(p)t\

Definition of CONTEMPT

1
a : the act of despising : the state of mind of one who despises : disdain b : lack of respect or reverence for something
2
: the state of being despised
3
: willful disobedience to or open disrespect of a court, judge, or legislative body <contempt of court>

Examples of CONTEMPT

  1. He feels that wealthy people view him with contempt because he is poor.
  2. He spoke with contempt in his voice.
  3. She has displayed a profound contempt for her opponents.
  4. She was arrested for contempt of court.
  5. There, in the tall grass and the jungle, many would fall and the rest would return home to endure the sullen contempt of their fellow citizens, all to no purpose. —A. J. Bacevich, Commonweal, 12 Sept. 1997

Origin of CONTEMPT

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin contemptus, from contemnere (see contemn)
First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with CONTEMPT

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