1
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
2
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
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Recent Examples of contemptuous
We are confronted by an administration that is contemptuous of the Bill of Rights and engaged in unlawful acts of violence against us.
—
Chris Mattei, Hartford Courant, 6 Feb. 2026
Thompson, meanwhile, savors every contemptuous glare and hateful retort Anna regularly supplies.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 8 Jan. 2026
All of these flaws are conveniently overlooked by the purveyors of all of these instruments and done so in a way that is contemptuous of those who would contest it or even quibble with it.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 30 Nov. 2025
Entertainers tend to bend memory to their advantage; Margolick, contemptuous of myth, straightens the record, especially the legends spun by Mel Brooks, Caesar’s protégé.
—David Denby, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contemptuous
Chris Mattei, Hartford Courant, 6 Feb. 2026
Thompson, meanwhile, savors every contemptuous glare and hateful retort Anna regularly supplies.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 8 Jan. 2026
All of these flaws are conveniently overlooked by the purveyors of all of these instruments and done so in a way that is contemptuous of those who would contest it or even quibble with it.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 30 Nov. 2025
Entertainers tend to bend memory to their advantage; Margolick, contemptuous of myth, straightens the record, especially the legends spun by Mel Brooks, Caesar’s protégé.
—David Denby, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contemptuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemptuous
Adjective
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Yet whenever Bunny turns away from Frank to take a call from one of his underlings about the day-to-day violence and ugliness of their industry, a somewhat disdainful look passes across Frank’s face.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
9 Nov. 2025
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Godchaux was a divisive figure among Grateful Dead devotees — many fans were frankly outright disdainful of her presence on stage.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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During the decade since Hitler took power, women married to Jewish men defied scornful social, economic and political pressure, day after day.—
Danielle Wirsansky,
The Conversation,
10 Mar. 2026
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His medium was the linocut print—clean, strong, and scornful of embellishment.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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While their insulting jabs at each other make for good laughs, their arc as teammates learning to work together is what gives the film its heart.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
13 Mar. 2026
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Prestianni, who has denied racially insulting Vinícius and has been defended by Benfica, was provisionally suspended for one match by UEFA and did not play in the second leg.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Would the petulant, arrogant, all-knowing Donald still have started a war against Iran?—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
22 Mar. 2026
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Your partner acts arrogant or entitled.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Fleming was charged with one count of malicious assault, with the sheriff's department adding that more charges are possible in the future.—
Michael Guise,
CBS News,
19 Mar. 2026
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Cole was charged with one count of unlawfully transporting an explosive device with a plan either to kill, injure, or intimidate a person or to unlawfully destroy property, and a second count of malicious destruction or attempt to destroy with an explosive device.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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What’s striking is that Torrente is an abhorrent, fascist, Francoist, machista alcoholic yet people see him right at home in politics.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
19 Mar. 2026
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His abhorrent behavior is sadly too common across the restaurant industry, from the finest dining to the humblest street stalls.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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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
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Conservative pundit Meghan McCain blasted commentator Tucker Carlson after a guest on his podcast and online show this week made a disparaging remark about her weight.—
Dominick Mastrangelo,
The Hill,
5 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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The stalemate stems from Democrats’ insistence on immigration-enforcement reform — particularly, the cruel and often erroneous enforcement that is sending shockwaves of fear throughout immigrant populations and even distressing American-citizen residents of Puerto Rico.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Mar. 2026
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Shaw called the revelation an appalling and cruel irony.—
Stephanie Elam,
CNN Money,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contemptuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemptuous. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.
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