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
Ariana Grande Redefines Her Relationship With Fans What keeps the song from curdling into contempt is that Grande doesn't actually wish her audience away.
—
Jeff Benjamin, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Last year, the judge, appointed to the federal bench by Barack Obama, held Florida’s attorney general in contempt of court and separately ordered the closure of Florida’s Alligator Alcatraz immigration detention center.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 30 May 2026
The Arkansas Court of Appeals upheld the contempt finding in April, holding that Robinson's denials of payment were arbitrary and capricious.
—Arkansas Online, 29 May 2026
Triana has four prior arrests on record, with charges including criminal mischief, petty larceny, criminal contempt and assault, cops said.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for contempt
Jeff Benjamin, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Last year, the judge, appointed to the federal bench by Barack Obama, held Florida’s attorney general in contempt of court and separately ordered the closure of Florida’s Alligator Alcatraz immigration detention center.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 30 May 2026
The Arkansas Court of Appeals upheld the contempt finding in April, holding that Robinson's denials of payment were arbitrary and capricious.
—Arkansas Online, 29 May 2026
Triana has four prior arrests on record, with charges including criminal mischief, petty larceny, criminal contempt and assault, cops said.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for contempt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contempt
Noun
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One fundamental issue is extreme tribalism’s destructive momentum toward distrust and disdain of others.—
Steven D. Reske,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
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Anfield did not turn its back in disdain, however, as Clough would have.—
Michael Walker,
New York Times,
22 May 2026
Noun
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Monday showed why the Middle East’s generational hatreds are so often treacherous for American presidents.—
Kevin Liptak,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
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More deeply, San Diego’s Muslims have been puzzling over the roots of the hatred that sent two young men into a holy place with the intent to commit mass murder.—
Roxana Popescu,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contempt. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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