CONTEMPTUOUSLY Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

contemptuously

adverb

as in scornfully

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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 contemptuously Hazel swung the lamp in her hand and looked contemptuously at Ginny, surrounded by the naturalists and the teachers, who whispered encouragement. — Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026 Men sneered contemptuously at them, while teenagers used their names as insults. — Mikhail Zygar, Vanity Fair, 7 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemptuously

Adverb

As if the question arose, thought Leonora scornfully.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2025

Definition of scornfully

Adverb

The camera then switches from the chaos of the puppy, to the kitten—who is sitting in a relaxed position, blinking slowly, and staring almost disdainfully at the wriggling puppy.

— Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Bella, in her podcast conversation with Trinny Woodall, recalled that once, at a village post office, a shop assistant disdainfully called her a hippie.

— Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025

Definition of disdainfully

Adverb

Enzo Fernandez, who already was booked for a first-half yellow card, viciously tackled Spanish defender Pau Cubarsí.

— Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 19 July 2026
Yet somehow, two decades later, the viciously antisemitic Vichy regime planted itself in power; a shocking betrayal by France of some of its most loyal and generous supporters, in a dehumanizing toxic swamp of suspicion, judgment, envy.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 July 2026

Definition of viciously

Adverb

During his arraignment a month later, Brown pleaded not guilty to one count of attempting to unlawfully and maliciously cause grievous bodily harm with intent.

— Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026
Another factor to consider is that the agent acted maliciously, without being instructed to by the researchers.

— Tim Keary, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of maliciously

Browse Nearby Words

contemptuous

contemptuously

contemptuousness

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“Contemptuously.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemptuously. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of contemptuously

adverb

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