scorn
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1scorn
noun \ˈskȯrn\Definition of SCORN
1
: open dislike and disrespect or derision often mixed with indignation
2
: an expression of contempt or derision
3
: an object of extreme disdain, contempt, or derision : something contemptible
See Examples of SCORN
- They treated his suggestion with scorn.
- an expression full of scorn
- Her political rivals have poured scorn on her ideas for improving the tax system.
- Unlike government censorship, this corruption eats at one of China's more beleaguered professions from within its ranks. The trading of favors for cash is so prevalent that, like the honest cop in a corrupt police unit, an ethical journalist risks the scorn of colleagues. —Gady A. Epstein, Forbes, 21 July 2008
- He burns with generous indignation at the scorn with which many literary critics have treated Tolkien, and his subtitle, “author of the Century,” is meant to provoke. But provocation is only one of his purposes. —Richard Jenkyns, New Republic, 28 Jan. 2002
- Claiming their inalienable rights as teenagers, the two exercise an unmitigated scorn for all adults in the immediate vicinity … —B. Ruby Rich, Nation, 3 & 10 Sept. 2001
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Origin of SCORN
Middle English, from Anglo-French escharne, escar, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German scern jest
First Known Use: 13th century
Related to SCORN
- Synonyms
- contemptuousness, despisement, despite, despitefulness, disdain, misprision, contempt
- Antonyms
- admiration, esteem, estimation, favor, regard, respect
2scorn
verb \ˈskȯrn\Definition of SCORN
transitive verb : to treat with scorn (see 1scorn): reject or dismiss as contemptible or unworthy <scorned local traditions> <scorned to reply to the charge>
intransitive verb
Examples of SCORN
- He scorns anyone who earns less money than he does.
- Her actions were scorned by many people.
- They were scorned as fanatics.
- My parents scorned packaged and ready-made foods. It did not matter that, at the time, our hometown was a test-market capital for these sorts of food products; my father still thought that convenience food was a Communist plot, and my mother insisted that only trashy people failed to practice a separation of food groups. —Molly O'Neill, Vogue, January 2007
- A union member and activist since age 15, bound for an academic career at Cornell and NYU, Fitch, now past 65, writes like a lover scorned. —Rob Long, National Review, 13 Feb. 2006
- Stung by attacks on his new Excursion—a 12.5-m.p.g. guzzler dubbed “Ford Valdez” by critics—he has expressed fears that auto companies could be scorned like tobacco companies if they don't clean up their act. Similarly, GM has sought to position itself as the greenest car company, beginning in 1996 when it launched the nation's first modern, mass-produced electric car, the EV-1. —Margot Roosevelt, Time, 14 Aug. 2000
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Origin of SCORN
(see 1scorn)
First Known Use: 13th century
Related to SCORN
- Synonyms
- contemn, dis (also diss) [slang], disdain, disrespect, high-hat, look down (on or upon), slight, sniff (at), snoot, snub, look down one's nose (at), sneeze at, thumb one's nose (at), walk over
See Synonym Discussion at despise
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