scorn 1 of 2

scorn

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb scorn differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of scorn are contemn, despise, and disdain. While all these words mean "to regard as unworthy of one's notice or consideration," scorn implies a ready or indignant contempt.

scorns the very thought of retirement

When might contemn be a better fit than scorn?

The words contemn and scorn can be used in similar contexts, but contemn implies a vehement condemnation of a person or thing as low, vile, feeble, or ignominious.

contemns the image of women promoted by advertisers

Where would despise be a reasonable alternative to scorn?

The synonyms despise and scorn are sometimes interchangeable, but despise may suggest an emotional response ranging from strong dislike to loathing.

despises cowards

When is disdain a more appropriate choice than scorn?

In some situations, the words disdain and scorn are roughly equivalent. However, disdain implies an arrogant or supercilious aversion to what is regarded as unworthy.

disdained popular music

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 scorn
Noun
The piece instantly became the subject of viral memes and inspired an uproarious exchange on TNT’s NBA Tip-Off during which Charles Barkley couldn’t contain his scorn. Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 30 Aug. 2025 For the last year or so, decisions have been going in favor of the government as valuations at large multiples of a recent selling price have met with judicial scorn. Peter J Reilly, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
Commercial success as Lilith Fair grew new album sales and earned Grammy nominations for its individual artists on tour only fueled unrelenting industry and media scorn. Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for scorn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scorn
Noun
  • The arrest comes days after a federal judge in Utah issued a warrant ordering authorities to arrest Sparks for contempt of court in connection with a Clean Air Act lawsuit filed by Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment in 2017.
    Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The upshot of this contempt is a season that layers hypocrisy as well as sanctimony over the grubby, tedious nihilism that made Dahmer so miserable to watch.
    Judy Berman, Time, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Lewis Wedlock, a social psychologist specializing in masculinities, notes that the term is especially cutting when a man uses it to refer to another man, which can imply disdain for his authenticity and his submission in pandering to women.
    Ashleigh N. DeLuca, Parents, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Kleinfeld disdains the concept of work-life separation.
    Diane Brady, Fortune, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Before Cleopatra, Liz and Dick despised each other.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Really loved, obsessively loved and despised by every critic.
    Jen Juneau, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Historically, political movements die when they become subsumed by paranoid Jew-hatred.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
  • This isn’t quite like other rivalries, such as the Iron Bowl or Georgia-Georgia Tech, where coaches motivate their players by talking up their hatred of the other team.
    Seth Emerson, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Your husband overreacted and disrespected you, slapping food and mocking you.
    Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Even though many media members and fans have disrespected him by calling him a game manager, Hurts has continued to make plays.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In their complaint, the unions allege the budget office's memo unlawfully directs agencies to disregard their own authorizing statutes.
    Franco Ordoñez, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
  • If a customer has no option to disregard or modify the charge, it cannot be deducted from the employee’s income.
    Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • And Maeve really hates injustice and that follows through in all the scenes with the guys.
    Keith Phipps, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Another is that there will always be lesbians and people who hate them, so the anger’s going to keep going, and so will the genre.
    Jo Livingstone, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Scorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scorn. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.

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