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
Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026
To that end, CFA has demonstrated unwavering disdain for Jewish safety, identity, and belief.
—Mark Pinkert, Oc Register, 23 Dec. 2025
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
The Lions are going to play hard for Dan Campbell, but disdain for a division rival will only take them so far.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026
To that end, CFA has demonstrated unwavering disdain for Jewish safety, identity, and belief.
—Mark Pinkert, Oc Register, 23 Dec. 2025
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
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Every day, Trump exhibits his contempt for laws enacted by Congress — and for the Constitution itself.—
Steve Chapman,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Crosland also represented Troconis on contempt charges and successfully had those offenses dropped last June.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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While the Steelers might be disrespected on a national scale after an up-and-down season, the Texans can't take the bait.—
Jeff Howe,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
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Employees said they felt disrespected by the process and disrupted from their prior jobs, which included coaching new teachers, providing restorative justice programs and offering specialized services like those for students who are deaf or hard of hearing.—
Rory Linnane,
jsonline.com,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Some viewers will know Rapaport from his decadeslong acting career but also that one very irritating season of Justified; others will know him for his anti-Palestinian rants and hatred of New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
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This is not to say that rape can be separated from the hatred of women, just that, in certain situations, the role of the victim can be violently reassigned.—
S. C. Cornell,
New Yorker,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But man, oh man, does Dan hate the game.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The pioneers of punk music did it because the mainstream crowd hated it.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Those who despise Bacharach’s fluting tunes and David’s simple — if emotive — lyrics, consigning them to often denigrated genres such as easy listening, elevator music, adult contemporary or luxe pop.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
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Policing women is a byproduct of patriarchy, a system that despises women who dare to embrace individualism, self-expression, and self-autonomy.—
Essence,
Essence,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Watch this episode for Edie Falco's fiery, Emmy-winning performance as a woman both exhausted and scorned.—
Dan Snierson,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Dec. 2025
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However, Eleanor is not a woman to be scorned.—
Robert Lang,
Deadline,
27 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Disdain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disdain. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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