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

He had been viciously attacked seemingly while asleep, struck multiple times in the face with a sharp, ax-like instrument, The Herald News reported.

— Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026
Some of the attacks were viciously personal, like about how a deceased family member deserved to die.

— E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of viciously

Adverb

Puddles formed on the floor of the visitors’ clubhouse Thursday afternoon at Kauffman Stadium as beer and champagne was spilled intentionally, but not maliciously.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026
The grand jury also did not find evidence of an altercation or involvement by Wells’ friends with him on their group of boats; the report said the friends had been maliciously attacked.

— Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 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 6 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of contemptuously

adverb

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