as in contempt
open dislike for someone or something considered unworthy of one's concern or respect
showing undisguised disdain for the other employees
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to disrespect
to show contempt for
disdained the deserter as a coward
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of disdain
Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Tamma, who is gay, is a roiling stew of adolescent emotions further fueled by physical abuse suffered in childhood at her father’s hands and by the neglect and disdain dumped on her by her mother.
—Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 20 Jan. 2026
The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 28 Oct. 2025
California’s Democratic establishment disdains Citizen Pratt.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disdain
Noun
One area that could impede AI’s progress is a growing populist disdain for the technology that spans the political divide.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Tamma, who is gay, is a roiling stew of adolescent emotions further fueled by physical abuse suffered in childhood at her father’s hands and by the neglect and disdain dumped on her by her mother.
—Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 20 Jan. 2026
Verb
Simonson suggested that bartenders don’t really disdain the Bloody Mary; they just are annoyed at having to make what is almost universally considered a brunch drink after hours.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 28 Oct. 2025
California’s Democratic establishment disdains Citizen Pratt.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disdain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disdain
Noun
-
What the late Ka did to build resolve against the unforgiving brutalities of Brownsville, Marci combines with the flair of a Bond villain and contempt for anyone attempting to copy his mold.—
Dylan Green,
Pitchfork,
28 Jan. 2026
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Such vague commands, the court said, leave agents guessing how to respond during fast-moving protest situations and expose them to possible contempt sanctions.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Sadly, too many of us have felt dismissed or disrespected by a doctor.—
Crystal Cene,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
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After a year of Trump disrespecting European allies, many had wondered how much of the old transatlantic ties remained.—
Joseph Ataman,
CNN Money,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Global leaders reflected on rising antisemitism and the need for unity to combat hatred and war, drawing parallels to defeating Nazism in 1945.—
Vanessa Gera,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
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The annual global event remembers the 6 million Jewish victims and millions of other victims and the commitment to stand against hatred and intolerance.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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We should all be so hated by Hollywood!—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
31 Jan. 2026
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Even though the audience hated it, Susan and I loved it.—
Jeremy Helligar,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The production reimagines the titular character as Alice, a novelist who despises hollow contemporary mantras and faces backlash for speaking her mind.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
26 Jan. 2026
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The talent to look into a mirror and not despise the person staring at me.—
Keith McNally,
Vanity Fair,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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If Damsky returns to law school, some classmates will treat him as a social pariah who deserves scorn.—
Conor Friedersdorf,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
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Like a lot of messy divorces, this started with a wandering eye, a lover scorned and boils down to the money.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disdain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disdain. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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