as in abusive
marked by harsh insulting language
a well-reasoned thesis that merited more than just a scornful, contumelious response
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contumelious
Adjective
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The memoir describes the fallout of Lacey’s divorce from her emotionally abusive husband.—
Diana Arterian
June 20,
Literary Hub,
20 June 2025 -
The three bonded over the topic, sharing stories about abusive relationships from their past – either their own entanglements, or their friends’.—
Tom Roland,
Billboard,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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Conversations revealed an ongoing dialogue that was not only deeply insulting to Read, but morally offensive to women broadly.—
Gemma Allen,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
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Trump’s orders are insulting to state and local officials, but especially to the Marines.—
Tom Zirpoli,
Baltimore Sun,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences.—
Jason Lemon,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
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My hair fell out, my mouth filled with sores, and the overnight fevers were outrageous.—
Noor Hassan,
Rolling Stone,
21 June 2025
Adjective
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The ex-data processor for the Boston Transportation Department was previously convicted in Suffolk Superior Court of: rape of a child, assault to rape a child, indecent assault and battery on a child, disseminating obscene material to a minor, and possession of child pornography.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
24 June 2025
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But the legal standard for what qualifies as obscene is extremely high.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 June 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Contumelious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contumelious. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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