Synonyms of scornful

scornful

adjective

ˈskȯrn-fəl 

1

as in contemptuous

feeling or showing open dislike for someone or something regarded as undeserving of respect or concern

the actress gave the paparazzi a scornful glare before breezing on by them

Synonyms & Similar Words

• contemptuous
• disdainful
• arrogant
• malicious
• abhorrent
• cruel
• fresh
• insolent
• impudent
• cavalier
• disrespectful
• brazen
• haughty
• discourteous
• hateful
• supercilious
• cheeky
• cocky
• impertinent
• sassy
• saucy
• nasty
• brassy
• pretentious
• snobbish
• brash
• spiteful
• uppity
• prideful
• superior
• pompous
• lofty
• high-handed
• bold-faced
• highfalutin
• malevolent
• lordly
• malignant
• high-hat
• uppish
• malign
• catty
• self-important
• mean
• despiteful
• sniffish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• appreciative
• respectful
• deferential
• admiring
• accepting
• tolerant
• approving
• applauding
• polite
• courteous
• regardful

2

as in slighting

intended to make a person or thing seem of little importance or value

the tenant's complaints were met with the scornful observation that he expected too much for the rent he was paying

Synonyms & Similar Words

• slighting
• insulting
• contemptuous
• disdainful
• malicious
• deprecatory
• disparaging
• derogatory
• uncomplimentary
• pejorative
• demeaning
• depreciatory
• critical
• abusive
• degrading
• derisory
• venomous
• hateful
• depreciative
• derogative
• denigratory
• belittling
• detractive
• nasty
• libelous
• cruel
• decrying
• spiteful
• denigrative
• unkind
• slanderous
• scurrilous
• calumnious
• virulent
• defamatory
• malevolent
• opprobrious
• malignant
• jealous
• despiteful
• resentful
• envious
• bitter
• denunciatory
• malign
• caustic
• scathing
• catty
• rancorous
• acrimonious
• jaundiced
• mean
• slandering
• vilifying
• acrid
• maligning
• aspersing
• denunciative

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• laudatory
• commendatory
• complimentary
• positive
• friendly
• adulatory
• admiring
• respectful
• appreciative
• approving
• sympathetic
• laudative
• warm
• kind
• applauding
• kindly
• kindhearted
• warmhearted
• unmalicious

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of scornful

Not even the pork choppers were as arrogant and scornful of voting rights as the current mob. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2026

During the decade since Hitler took power, women married to Jewish men defied scornful social, economic and political pressure, day after day. — Danielle Wirsansky, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2026

His medium was the linocut print—clean, strong, and scornful of embellishment. — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2026

And with a scornful undercurrent at the fact that Charli apparently stole Johannes out from under her. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2026