disdain

²dis·dain

verb \dis-ˈdān\

Definition of DISDAIN

transitive verb

1

: to look on with scorn <disdained him as a coward>

2

: to refuse or abstain from because of a feeling of contempt or scorn <disdained to answer their questions>

3

: to treat as beneath one's notice or dignity

Examples of DISDAIN

1. They disdained him for being weak.
2. She disdained to answer their questions.
3. The right eyes him [Thomas Jefferson] suspiciously as a limousine Jacobin so enamored of revolution that he once suggested we should have one every 20 years. The left disdains him as your basic race hypocrite. —Charles Krauthammer, Time, 22 May 2000
4. Only in our last days on the peninsula (the arm of Antarctica that polar scientists disdain as the “Banana Belt”) did we see our first frozen sea … —Kate Ford, Wall Street Journal, 12 June 1998
5. His vehicle would be a form he both enjoyed and disdained—pulp fiction. His audience would be one he often condescended to—the black masses. —Henry Louis Gates, Jr., NNew York Times Book Review, 20 Sept. 1992
6. There is also evidence of epic womanizing that Mr. Schickel mentions but loftily announces that he disdains to tell us about. —Camille Paglia, New York Times Book Review, 21 July 1991

Origin of DISDAIN

Middle English desdeynen, from Anglo-French desdeigner, dedeigner, from Vulgar Latin *disdignare, from Latin dis- + dignare to deign — more at deign

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to DISDAIN

Synonyms: contemn, dis (also diss) [slang], scorn, disrespect, high-hat, look down (on or upon), slight, sniff (at), snoot, snub

Antonyms: honor, respect

Related Words: scout; abhor, abominate, despise, detest, execrate, hate, loathe; belittle, deplore, deprecate, disparage; disapprove (of), discountenance, disfavor, frown (on or upon)

Near Antonyms: cherish, prize, treasure, value; admire, esteem, lionize; hallow, revere, venerate, worship; accept, appreciate, approve (of), care (for), countenance, favor, OK (or okay), subscribe (to)

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See Synonym Discussion at despise