as in contempt
open dislike for someone or something considered unworthy of one's concern or respect
showing undisguised disdain for the other employees
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to disrespect
to show contempt for
disdained the deserter as a coward
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of disdain
Andrew Hughes, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Klára works at a grocery store formerly owned by the family of her colleague Elza (Hermina Fátyol) but now taken over by a supercilious Stalinist (Konrád Quintus) who doesn’t bother hiding his disdain for the two Jewish women.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
Jack Fowler, National Review, 4 July 2025
The reckoning that followed the murder of George Floyd has given way to a backlash and a president who disdains efforts at equality, complains of anti-white prejudice and purges powerful Black men and women in the name of a mythical colorblind society.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for disdain
Noun
This isn't the first time Sanders has spoken about a disdain for marijuana usage at Folsom Field.
—Andrew Hughes, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Klára works at a grocery store formerly owned by the family of her colleague Elza (Hermina Fátyol) but now taken over by a supercilious Stalinist (Konrád Quintus) who doesn’t bother hiding his disdain for the two Jewish women.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
In the mainstream media, and the places where that brand is disdained, there is no room for attention.
—Jack Fowler, National Review, 4 July 2025
The reckoning that followed the murder of George Floyd has given way to a backlash and a president who disdains efforts at equality, complains of anti-white prejudice and purges powerful Black men and women in the name of a mythical colorblind society.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for disdain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disdain
Noun
-
He was found to be in contempt of court for failing to comply with that judgement in January.—
Chandelis Duster,
NPR,
1 Sep. 2025
-
Despite this, the court entered another order compelling Brooksby, his trust, KFE, Sonja Brooksby and Rex King (as persons who controlled KFE) to appear and show cause why they should not be held in contempt.—
Jay Adkisson,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Angry Wave Sumrall suggested that Northwestern disrespected New Orleans when the Wildcats declined the Green Wave’s request to wear all-white uniforms without logos, like the 2005 Tulane team did in its first game after being displaced by Hurricane Katrina.—
Brett Martel,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Aug. 2025
-
Never been thrown out of the game, would never disrespect an umpire.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Rivalries that are long in tenure and thick with hatred define college sports in the Deep South, where football is second only to faith in some places.—
Quentin Corpuel,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Examples abound of men with histories of misogyny – often expressed online – who go on to commit violent crimes in the name of their hatred.—
Will Carless,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But now girls are only coming to the school to be famous, so that's why sororities are hating it.—
Tabitha Parent,
People.com,
26 Aug. 2025
-
This sets up an unprecedented constitutional crisis that could drag on for months, creating exactly the kind of regulatory uncertainty that crypto markets hate.—
Tonya M. Evans,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Austen shows us how others might fear or despise her, then gives us the gift of the means and the courage to delight in her instead.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Many people fear them, attack them, or despise them.—
Anna Tunkova,
CNN Money,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
While oud can be polarizing—prized by some for its longevity and scorned by others for its animalic bite—the version in this bottle is rounder, creamier, and more nuanced than your standard-issue oud oil, with a clarity that feels paradoxical given its depth.—
Adam Hurly,
Robb Report,
2 Sep. 2025
-
In Splitsville, Julie is a wife scorned and ignored.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
22 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Disdain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disdain. Accessed 7 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share