disdain 1 of 2

disdain

2 of 2

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
Saban has been adamant about his disdain for what the college football coaching carousel has become. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 30 Oct. 2025 But there’s nothing predictable about the paths of Kikuo and Shunsuke — or that of any of the characters, a case in point being the way a businessman (Takahiro Miura) who at first treats Kikuo with disdain becomes an ally. Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
He was torn between disdaining them and entertaining the possibility of getting into that business, which was clearly going to grow with the transition. Literary Hub, 16 July 2025 Yes, Trump disdains core elements of U.S. globalism, from the international trade system America established to its promotion of democratic values and its defense commitments around the world. Hal Brands, Twin Cities, 13 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for disdain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disdain
Noun
  • While support for the president and contempt for the left has united conservative media for years, Gaza has been driving a wedge between two of the right’s biggest names.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2025
  • The group pledged support for the creatives known as the Hollywood Ten, who were cited for contempt of Congress after refusing to address the House Un-American Activities Committee about supposed communist affiliations.
    Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Lee disrespects national park values with these twin bills, and Curtis, who likes to tout his nature sensitivity on hikes with constituents, should know better.
    Stephen Trimble, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
  • The premiere episode opens with Colter starting a brawl in a small town bar after another patron disrespects the bartender.
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 19 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
  • When the pandemic arrived, Bellotti and Goodman recognized that the growing constituency of people who’d come to hate scientists could also, with the right messaging, be made to hate the fact that scientists experimented on animals.
    Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Sometimes people love you, people hate you.
    Edward Segarra, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Both brothers despise their father, for good reason.
    Karl Ove Knausgaard, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2025
  • The fact that the film is named after its subject’s most beloved — and most despised by Hart himself — hit tells you everything.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 15 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 5 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on disdain

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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