as in to disdain
to show contempt for
arrogant critics who contemn the general public's taste in art
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Recent Examples of contemn
Consequently, the Sadrists were contemned and discounted by Iraq’s liberal elite who form the core of the ICP.
—
Benedict Robin, Washington Post, 7 June 2018
Benedict Robin, Washington Post, 7 June 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemn
Verb
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At his behest Aurangzeb—who disdained poetry—sent agents across India and Persia to assemble a literary circle befitting her.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
9 Apr. 2026
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In Sondheim’s body of work, Okrent searches for the autobiographical resonances that Sondheim himself mostly disdained.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Spirit Airlines was the budget-friendly carrier America loved to hate.—
Dalila Muata,
NBC news,
9 May 2026
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Since then, Faruqui — if not Allen himself — has become something of a hero to some Trump-hating progressive Democrats.—
Peter Lucas,
Boston Herald,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Clark is no stranger to disrespect in rankings, awards, play and coverage over the years.—
Jon Root OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
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Don’t think for a moment Dubas won’t feel the heat in Pittsburgh if Penguins fans believe Malkin, Letang or Crosby is disrespected in any manner at the conclusion of their careers.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Nearly half of Americans despise them, seeing the wealthy as the beneficiaries of a corrupt system who got rich at their expense.—
Allison Schrager,
Twin Cities,
13 May 2026
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The goddess Hera — who despised Heracles — later set the crab in the heavens in the form of the constellation Cancer as a reward for its bravery.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
9 May 2026
Verb
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The advice that Liza Ginette and Leslie and Lindsey Glass all share from the no contact experience is to look inward and take accountability rather than cross your arms and scorn the other side.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
10 May 2026
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At a raucous commission meeting Tuesday, City Manager Rickelle Williams faced a storm of withering accusations in her initial job evaluation — mostly from Mayor Dean Trantalis, who eagerly supported hiring Williams last year but now scorns her in public.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contemn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemn. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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