as in to disdain
to show contempt for
arrogant critics who contemn the general public's taste in art
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 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
-
Krikorian said a more traditional law enforcement approach should trade street sweeps for a greater focus on worksite enforcement – something Homan has advocated for, but which Trump disdains.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
7 Feb. 2026
-
White supremacy, which is very much alive in the land — turn on the news — disdains every people of color.—
Robert Lloyd,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Does this mean Chicago people will hate them?—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
-
That title goes to the government of messianic zealots, Arab-hating nationalists and anti-modern ultra-Orthodox Israelis put together by Netanyahu to keep himself in power.—
Thomas L. Friedman,
Mercury News,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But even in death, Jackson has an answer for those who would still disrespect him.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
21 Feb. 2026
-
From disrespecting local customs and getting pickpocketed to forgetting to reapply sunscreen and overpacking, European tour guides have truly seen it all.—
Jillian Dara,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The aide, Colonel Dave Butler, a former infantry officer, is a longtime leader in Army public affairs (not a specialty Hegseth embraces) who worked closely with the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley (whom Hegseth despises).—
Missy Ryan,
The Atlantic,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Liberal Democrats who despised Daley as a corrupt big-city boss hailed Jackson as a hero.—
Johanna Neuman,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Perhaps Frank should not scorn the Democrats for their emphasis on education.—
Colin Cepuran,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
-
This comes as mosques and holy shrines have been important bases for the regime to spread the hardcore ideology its leaders stand by, which bans any kind of dance and music and scorns them as sins -- let alone tolerating them in public or at holy sites.—
Somayeh Malekian,
ABC News,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contemn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemn. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
