CONTEMPTUOUS Synonyms: 118 Similar and Opposite Words

contemptuous

adjective

kən-ˈtem(p)-chə-wəs

Definition of contemptuous

as in disdainful

feeling or showing open dislike for someone or something regarded as undeserving of respect or concern loutish tourists who are contemptuous of the ways and traditions of their host countries

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in slighting

intended to make a person or thing seem of little importance or value contemptuous comments about the baseball team's pathetic showings

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 contemptuous The fantasy of transforming a cold or contemptuous man through the sheer force of one’s love has caused real harm, and the critique of it is warranted. — Literary Hub, 29 June 2026 The Uganda Law Society demanded Lukwago's immediate release, saying his arrest was contemptuous of court processes. — ABC News, 15 June 2026 Their response to the indignities of modernity is only contemptuous silence. — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 27 Apr. 2026 Critics are sometimes contemptuous of the way superhero entertainment has been embraced by adults, who should presumably be making their way through the Booker Prize longlist. — David Faris, TheWeek, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contemptuous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemptuous

Adjective

As Cusk has become more disdainful of fiction and more insistent on the documentary function of art, her work has become vaguer and less concrete, fading like old ink into blurred indeterminacy.

— Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026
It was delivered with sneers, an ugly, small-minded few minutes in support of the sclerotic, disdainful of dynamic change.

— Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026

Definition of disdainful

Adjective

Atletico did not believe Madrid were actually serious with their bid, and reacted with more angry and scornful social media posts.

— Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Tribunals have been appointed, and Coriolanus’ scornful elitism strikes them as too heavy a price for his military protection.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of scornful

Adjective

The technique has similarities to web skimming, where malicious code captures payment information as a shopper types it into an online checkout page.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026
This malicious torrent leads to the download of the malware loader.

— Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of malicious

Adjective

Everybody on our side understands that impeachment is a critical tool in the toolbox for constitutional self-defense against a president acting like a king, an imperious, lawless, arrogant king.

— NBC news, NBC news, 6 Sep. 2026
Most obviously, front and center, and in endlessly intrusive close-up, there’s Pattinson — who also serves as producer — playing the arrogant, fame-addicted, megalomaniac Hansen.

— Jessica Kiang, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of arrogant

Adjective

Felix points to Trump’s disparaging and false comments against Haitians in Springfield, Ohio, which put a target on the back of many Haitian immigrants.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
The irony is that Trump has been more disparaging and dismissive of the military than any other president.

— Joe Garofoli, San Francisco Chronicle, 17 Mar. 2026

Definition of disparaging

Adjective

The allegations in this indictment are abhorrent and represent a profound betrayal of that trust.

— Jack Perry, The Providence Journal, 4 Sep. 2026
The general idea predated Wilson, but his willingness to use it in service of that abhorrent compromise—subordinating the dignity and equality of individual people to the importance of the American union—showed that his commitment to popular sovereignty had its limits.

— Jesse Wegman, The Atlantic, 20 June 2026

Definition of abhorrent

Adjective

Yet what follows is an extended list of ethical sins, with a focus on the sins of abusive speech, such as slandering, slurring, slighting and smearing the reputations of others.

— Reuven Kimelman, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026
Before her death, Flowers had told numerous family members and co-workers that Plummer was physically abusive toward her, Freeman said.

— Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of abusive

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contemptibly

contemptuous

contemptuously

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“Contemptuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemptuous. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of contemptuous

adjective

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