contemptuous

contemptuous

adjective

Definition of CONTEMPTUOUS

1

feeling or showing open dislike for someone or something regarded as undeserving of respect or concern <loutish tourists who are contemptuous of the ways and traditions of their host countries>

Synonyms abhorrent, disdainful, scornful

Related Words bold-faced, brash, brassy, brazen, cheeky, cocky, discourteous, disrespectful, fresh, impertinent, impudent, insolent, sassy, saucy; arrogant, cavalier, highfalutin (also hifalutin), high-handed, high-hat, pretentious, uppish, uppity; haughty, lofty, lordly, prideful, sniffish, snobbish, supercilious; pompous, self-important, superior; catty, cruel, despiteful, hateful, malevolent, malicious, malign, malignant, mean, nasty, spiteful

Near Antonyms deferential, regardful, respectful; accepting, tolerant; courteous, polite

Antonyms admiring, applauding, appreciative, approving

2

intended to make a person or thing seem of little importance or value <contemptuous comments about the baseball team's pathetic showings>

Synonyms belittling, contemptuous, decrying, degrading, demeaning, denigrative, denigratory, deprecatory, depreciative, depreciatory, derisory, derogative, detractive, disdainful, disparaging, pejorative, scornful, slighting, uncomplimentary

Related Words aspersing, calumnious, defamatory, insulting, libelous (or libellous), maligning, slandering, slanderous, vilifying; abusive, opprobrious, scurrilous; catty, cruel, despiteful, hateful, malevolent, malicious, malign, malignant, mean, nasty, spiteful, unkind, virulent; critical, denunciative, denunciatory; acrimonious, bitter, envious, jaundiced, jealous, rancorous, resentful; acrid, caustic, scathing, venomous

Near Antonyms admiring, adulatory, applauding, approving, friendly, positive; appreciative, respectful; kind, kindhearted, kindly, sympathetic, unmalicious, warm, warmhearted

Antonyms commendatory, complimentary, laudative, laudatory