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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective disdainful differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of disdainful are arrogant, haughty, insolent, lordly, overbearing, proud, and supercilious. While all these words mean "showing scorn for inferiors," disdainful suggests a more active and openly scornful superciliousness.

disdainful of their social inferiors

When might arrogant be a better fit than disdainful?

The synonyms arrogant and disdainful are sometimes interchangeable, but arrogant implies a claiming for oneself of more consideration or importance than is warranted.

a conceited and arrogant executive

Where would haughty be a reasonable alternative to disdainful?

While in some cases nearly identical to disdainful, haughty suggests a consciousness of superior birth or position.

a haughty aristocrat

In what contexts can insolent take the place of disdainful?

Although the words insolent and disdainful have much in common, insolent implies contemptuous haughtiness.

ignored by an insolent waiter

When can lordly be used instead of disdainful?

The words lordly and disdainful can be used in similar contexts, but lordly implies pomposity or an arrogant display of power.

a lordly condescension

When could overbearing be used to replace disdainful?

The meanings of overbearing and disdainful largely overlap; however, overbearing suggests a tyrannical manner or an intolerable insolence.

an overbearing supervisor

When would proud be a good substitute for disdainful?

In some situations, the words proud and disdainful are roughly equivalent. However, proud may suggest an assumed superiority or loftiness.

too proud to take charity

When is supercilious a more appropriate choice than disdainful?

The words supercilious and disdainful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, supercilious implies a cool, patronizing haughtiness.

an aloof and supercilious manner

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 disdainful Now, with Donald J. Trump installed in the White House, Mr. Zelensky is facing a new challenge: maintaining good relations with the country’s most critical ally and a president who has been disdainful toward him and skeptical of military aid. Andrew E. Kramer, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025 The Victorian Society of New York, which is often highly orthodox and disdainful about these kinds of changes, also came out in favor. Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 14 Jan. 2025 The man, no, the boy that 3,000 people had crammed inside London’s Alexandra Palace to see produce history, plus millions more watching at home and in pubs around the UK and the world, was doing it not just with dispassionate ease, or with flamboyant style, but with disdainful relish. Tim Spiers, The Athletic, 4 Jan. 2025 Trump has even been disdainful or dismissive of the United States’ traditional allies, such as Mexico and Argentina. Christopher Sabatini, Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2017 See All Example Sentences for disdainful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disdainful
Adjective
  • The band was concerned about their record label’s reaction, but despite the movie’s scene with a Myers cameo as a contemptuous exec, Reid insists there was no confrontation.
    Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025
  • There are some good, compassionate officers out there, but the general attitude has become cold, cruel and contemptuous toward homeless individuals.
    Bruce Higgins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Central Texas has a proud tradition of producing and celebrating flavorful sodas.
    Taylor Tobin, Southern Living, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The godfather of modern West Indian fast bowling shakes his head slowly, having been reminded what happened the last time his once proud and near-invincible team played Test cricket.
    Paul Newman, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Trump’s reaction to Modi’s trip to Tianjin has been scornful, claiming that India is offering to drop all tariffs on American goods.
    Bobby Ghosh, Time, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Trump, too, is scornful of what European diplomacy could achieve, declaring recently that Iran doesn’t want to talk to Europe.
    Garret Martin, The Conversation, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • Jack Cutmore-Scott as Julius Beaufort, an arrogant new money banker at the center of New York society with an interest in Ellen.
    Joe Otterson, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Jean stepped out as Nia approached—lean and arrogant, a cigarette pinched between her lips.
    David Wright Faladé, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • To educate all of them in similar ways is insulting, and silly.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
  • Perkins said the drink bore the insulting message.
    Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer, 22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Those pushing for the firings have argued that teachers and professors with abhorrent views shouldn’t be allowed to influence students.
    Tyler Kingkade, NBC news, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Celebrating or excusing violence is abhorrent.
    ABC News, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In the small Campo dei Tolentini, presided over by the haughty neoclassical columns of the eponymous church, a queue straggles from a tiny bar.
    Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Lellouche stars as unlikely hero Zem, a disillusioned Zone 3 cop with an idealistic militant past, who is teamed with haughty, high-flying Zone 2 officer Salia, played by Adèle Exarchopoulos, after a leading politician is assassinated in Zone 1.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Lorena, now 55, was charged with malicious wounding, a felony offense, but was found not guilty by reason of temporary insanity following a two-week trial in early 1994.
    Mark Gray, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Disdainful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disdainful. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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