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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contemptuous
There may be fewer scenes in the Causeway oeuvre more chilling than a wordless opening when Kori (Emily Browning) gives a contemptuous once-over to the pile of greasy food in front of her at a pub while her boyfriend Nick (Jai Courtney) is fetching some pints.
—
Stephen Saito, Variety, 16 Mar. 2026
The tone of the FDA's message, Chaccour says, carried with it a contemptuous and toxic undertone, which only helped to escalate the political tensions around ivermectin that continue to this day.
—Yuki Noguchi, NPR, 2 Mar. 2026
Written in a joking and contemptuous tone, the tweet would take on an indescribably morbid weight just five days later, when, at the behest of Governor Cláudio Castro, the Rio de Janeiro police carried out the deadliest massacre in the country’s history.
—Evandro Cruz Silva, The Dial, 10 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for contemptuous
Stephen Saito, Variety, 16 Mar. 2026
The tone of the FDA's message, Chaccour says, carried with it a contemptuous and toxic undertone, which only helped to escalate the political tensions around ivermectin that continue to this day.
—Yuki Noguchi, NPR, 2 Mar. 2026
Written in a joking and contemptuous tone, the tweet would take on an indescribably morbid weight just five days later, when, at the behest of Governor Cláudio Castro, the Rio de Janeiro police carried out the deadliest massacre in the country’s history.
—Evandro Cruz Silva, The Dial, 10 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for contemptuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemptuous
Adjective
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The popularity of e-bikes and e-motos has soared since the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving lawmakers and law enforcement scrambling to regulate the bikes that are often used by young riders ignorant or disdainful of the rules of the road.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
22 Apr. 2026
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In real life, Natalie is detached from her children and disdainful of her spouse, prone to violent outbursts as the farm spins out of her control.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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These character endnotes, whether they’re read as youthful naiveté or an insulting interpretation of youthful naiveté, contribute to the finale’s bitter aftertaste.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
1 June 2026
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The comments were not well received, with locals telling BBC Scotland News that the description was insulting and did not reflect the people in the area.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 May 2026
Adjective
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Many who lived through the pandemic—and witnessed this inability to combat the lethal pestilence—developed scornful opinions of the medical profession.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 May 2026
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Twelve years ago, while serving as lieutenant governor, Newsom was scornful.—
Dan Walters,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 May 2026
Adjective
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The malicious prosecution claim was dismissed after Levine’s attorneys failed to object to a motion for summary judgment to dismiss the final charge.—
Jack Harvel,
Kansas City Star,
11 June 2026
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The Knicks also got their revenge on Wembanyama, who went unpenalized for a malicious, above-the-shoulders shove on Brunson in Game 3.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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As Molloy gradually succeeds in puncturing Lestat’s aloof, arrogant outer shell, his sound correspondingly shifts from assaultive punk to more contemplative ballads.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
7 June 2026
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But Lobo isn't some mindless arrogant hulk out to impose his indomitable will.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
6 June 2026
Adjective
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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
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While Trump’s talk of a possible NATO pullout dates back years, the comments to The Telegraph newspaper in the U.K., published Wednesday, were among the clearest and most disparaging yet — suggesting that the fracture has deepened perhaps to a point of no return.—
Jill Lawless,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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These racist, sexist and abhorrent comments absolutely do not reflect the values of the Massachusetts State Police and are not tolerated within our ranks.—
Nadine El-Bawab,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
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Pitt was having an abhorrent season, sitting at 4-7 and playing for nothing but pride after being eliminated from bowl game consideration the week prior.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
30 May 2026
Adjective
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After that day, my ex became abusive.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
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While not every nursing home fosters a neglectful or abusive environment, these conditions can thrive at facilities that are understaffed.—
Sponsored Content,
Denver Post,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contemptuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemptuous. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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