as in disdain
open dislike for someone or something considered unworthy of one's concern or respect
my undying contempt for people who abuse animals
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Recent Examples of contempt
Ultimately, a judge found Van Lent guilty of indirect criminal contempt, forced him to pay the foundation’s legal fees, and sentenced him to 10 days in jail.
—
Michael Adno, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2026
Federal judges nationwide are issuing increasingly critical rulings over the administration’s mass deportation efforts, with some finding DOJ lawyers in contempt for noncompliance.
—Steve Karnowski, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
The Cluntons sat for hours last week for separate closed-door testimonies after the committee threatened them with contempt charges.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 3 Mar. 2026
This committee will have the ability to subpoena, take testimony under oath and hold individuals in contempt for failing to comply.
—Steve Arentz, Baltimore Sun, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contempt
Michael Adno, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2026
Federal judges nationwide are issuing increasingly critical rulings over the administration’s mass deportation efforts, with some finding DOJ lawyers in contempt for noncompliance.
—Steve Karnowski, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
The Cluntons sat for hours last week for separate closed-door testimonies after the committee threatened them with contempt charges.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 3 Mar. 2026
This committee will have the ability to subpoena, take testimony under oath and hold individuals in contempt for failing to comply.
—Steve Arentz, Baltimore Sun, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contempt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contempt
Noun
-
However, Secretary Kennedy has made no secret of his disdain for mainstream medical journals.—
Will Stone,
NPR,
28 Feb. 2026
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Has any horror-movie series simultaneously expressed passive-aggressive disdain for, and outright pandered to, horror-movie fans as much as the Scream films?—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Most Iranians regard these forces with fear and hatred.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
2 Mar. 2026
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Following her father’s example, Stella learns to overcome her fear and show courage in the face of hatred and injustice.—
Libby Monteith Minor,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contempt. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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