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
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 contempt
That denial of reality — rooted in ignorance and contempt for science — is now official policy, as evidenced by the EPA’s rescinding of its landmark finding that greenhouse gases harm public health.
—
James Speyer, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
Authorities also provided no details on whether any of those pardoned were protesters convicted and sentenced for terrorism, contempt or public disorder.
—ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
Hegseth exudes contempt for the rules of war, international law and simple humanity.
—Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
Ben Moore, the company’s other co-founder and Drue’s cousin, previously was incarcerated in Colorado after being found in contempt during divorce proceedings with his now ex-wife, who accused him of hiding millions of dollars of marital assets related to Winthrop Intelligence.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contempt
James Speyer, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
Authorities also provided no details on whether any of those pardoned were protesters convicted and sentenced for terrorism, contempt or public disorder.
—ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
Hegseth exudes contempt for the rules of war, international law and simple humanity.
—Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
Ben Moore, the company’s other co-founder and Drue’s cousin, previously was incarcerated in Colorado after being found in contempt during divorce proceedings with his now ex-wife, who accused him of hiding millions of dollars of marital assets related to Winthrop Intelligence.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contempt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contempt
Noun
-
Glatzer’s disdain spins out behind Silicon Valley, too.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
12 Apr. 2026
-
The tension between baseball ops and Bob Melvin and Shildt’s disdain for input and feedback hindered this communication process the past four seasons.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Gracie’s discovery is squelched and this character’s value to the play comes in establishing how institutional silence can have an equally pernicious impact on confronting social hatreds.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
7 Apr. 2026
-
There is nothing quite like the theater and hatred that comes when the Penguins and Flyers share a sheet of ice.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contempt. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
