Synonyms of contempt

contempt

noun

kən-ˈtem(p)t 

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

• disdain
• hatred
• disgust
• distaste
• scorn
• malice
• hate
• hostility
• hatefulness
• despite
• contemptuousness
• resentment
• jealousy
• misprision
• despisement
• spite
• loathing
• grudge
• revulsion
• abhorrence
• meanness
• despitefulness
• detestation
• malevolence
• animosity
• bitterness
• repugnance
• enmity
• condemnation
• malignity
• repulsion
• ridicule
• malignancy
• antagonism
• vindictiveness
• abomination
• odium
• antipathy
• maliciousness
• disparagement
• execration
• spitefulness
• depreciation
• rancor
• lovelessness
• derision
• bile
• pique
• virulence
• abuse
• censure
• invidiousness
• aversion
• jaundice
• venom
• gall
• vitriol
• denunciation
• vituperation
• invective
• horror
• detraction
• spleen
• mockery
• aspersion
• belittlement
• deprecation
• diminishment
• cattiness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• respect
• admiration
• esteem
• regard
• favor
• estimation
• acceptance
• tolerance
• reverence
• deference
• worship
• adoration
• veneration
• idolatry
• love
• adulation
• affection
• glorification
• fondness
• liking
• deification
• fancy
• idolization
• lionization

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of contempt

America’s relative openness to immigrants looked like decadence; cosmopolitanism and internationalism were objects of contempt. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026

Being slapped with contempt by lawmakers carries the potential of hefty fines and jail time. — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026

In remarks just before the contempt vote, Paul said the committee was strictly responding to Fauci's refusal to testify, rather than his decisions during the pandemic. — Eric McDaniel, NPR, 6 Aug. 2026

Before the Thursday contempt vote, Paul, who has been fiercely critical of Fauci for years, said the American people deserve more information about the federal government’s role in the early days of the pandemic. — Daniel Payne, STAT, 6 Aug. 2026