disdain 1 of 2

disdain

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb disdain differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of disdain are contemn, despise, and scorn. While all these words mean "to regard as unworthy of one's notice or consideration," disdain implies an arrogant or supercilious aversion to what is regarded as unworthy.

disdained popular music

When might contemn be a better fit than disdain?

The words contemn and disdain are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, contemn implies a vehement condemnation of a person or thing as low, vile, feeble, or ignominious.

contemns the image of women promoted by advertisers

In what contexts can despise take the place of disdain?

While the synonyms despise and disdain are close in meaning, despise may suggest an emotional response ranging from strong dislike to loathing.

despises cowards

When is scorn a more appropriate choice than disdain?

In some situations, the words scorn and disdain are roughly equivalent. However, scorn implies a ready or indignant contempt.

scorns the very thought of retirement

Example Sentences

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 disdain
Noun
Likewise, her sheer disdain for anyone who doesn’t fit her free-spirited mold. Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 30 Oct. 2025 The Republican has displayed a long-running disdain for nuclear weapons and has suppported non-proliferation. Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
California’s Democratic establishment disdains Citizen Pratt. Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2025 Lewis Wedlock, a social psychologist specializing in masculinities, notes that the term is especially cutting when a man uses it to refer to another man, which can imply disdain for his authenticity and his submission in pandering to women. Ashleigh N. Deluca, Parents, 24 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disdain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disdain
Noun
  • In the aftermath of her refusal, Davis was jailed for acting in contempt of court and lost her clerk re-election.
    NPR, NPR, 10 Nov. 2025
  • She was found in contempt of court and spent five nights in jail.
    Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Screech your outrage, ACC schools disrespected by just one bid and pound your shoes on a desk somewhere, Notre Dame haters, especially those in the commonwealth of Kentucky and in the sunny setting of Miami.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
  • In hundreds of communications reviewed by USA TODAY, Rochelle described falling behind on mortgage payments, needing help finding a daycare in Austin and feeling disrespected by caseworkers.
    Jayme Fraser, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • My darling, hatred takes the beauty away.
    Tracee Ellis Ross, Glamour, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Muschietti touched on this in his movies — the bullying of Mike Hanlon and the hate-crime murder of Adrian Mellon — including the way Pennywise fosters and foments the hatred already lurking in the hearts of Derry’s citizens.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • All sorts of people love and hate the show for completely opposing reasons, and yet what the show does is bring those people in a room together to watch art and discuss it afterwards.
    David Zucker, Deadline, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Alfred Hitchcock hated whodunnits.
    Anna Russell, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Trump supporters despised him, while some Democrats embraced him — if reluctantly — and still many others would always condemn him as a war criminal for his role in Iraq.
    Don Gonyea, NPR, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Both brothers despise their father, for good reason.
    Karl Ove Knausgaard, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In the mayoral race between Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo, Adams was relegated to an afterthought, an object of ridicule and scorn.
    Molly Ball, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Many skilled bartenders seem to scorn the Bloody Mary, regarding it as unserious and lightweight, just as many in the food world loathe brunch, the meal most often associated with the Bloody Mary, or wine people ridicule Sancerre, seeing it as a fallback order for people who know little about wine.
    The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 28 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Disdain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disdain. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.

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