Synonyms of scorn

scorn 1 of 2

noun

ˈskȯrn 

as in contempt

open dislike for someone or something considered unworthy of one's concern or respect

has nothing but scorn for newfangled ideas of any kind

Synonyms & Similar Words

• contempt
• disdain
• hatred
• disgust
• distaste
• hate
• malice
• hostility
• despite
• resentment
• hatefulness
• jealousy
• spite
• contemptuousness
• ridicule
• despisement
• loathing
• misprision
• revulsion
• detestation
• grudge
• odium
• abhorrence
• animosity
• condemnation
• repugnance
• enmity
• meanness
• malignity
• antagonism
• bitterness
• repulsion
• despitefulness
• derision
• malevolence
• execration
• rancor
• malignancy
• antipathy
• disparagement
• bile
• maliciousness
• vitriol
• venom
• abomination
• vindictiveness
• gall
• censure
• spitefulness
• depreciation
• denunciation
• virulence
• vituperation
• pique
• aversion
• abuse
• invective
• lovelessness
• mockery
• aspersion
• invidiousness
• jaundice
• detraction
• spleen
• horror
• belittlement
• deprecation
• cattiness
• diminishment

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• respect
• admiration
• esteem
• regard
• estimation
• favor
• acceptance
• tolerance
• reverence
• deference
• worship
• adoration
• veneration
• adulation
• idolatry
• love
• affection
• glorification
• fondness
• liking
• deification
• idolization
• fancy
• lionization

scorn

2 of 2

verb

ˈskȯrn 

1

as in to disdain

to show contempt for

scorned the religious traditions of their ancestors

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disdain
• disrespect
• hate
• despise
• contemn
• snub
• look down (on or upon)
• walk over
• sniff (at)
• sneeze at
• slight
• snoot
• scout
• high-hat
• dis
• detest
• thumb one's nose (at)
• loathe
• abhor
• look down one's nose (at)
• abominate
• disparage
• belittle
• execrate
• deprecate
• deplore
• frown (on or upon)
• discountenance
• disapprove (of)
• disfavor

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• respect
• honor
• treasure
• prize
• value
• admire
• cherish
• esteem
• accept
• worship
• revere
• appreciate
• approve (of)
• countenance
• care (for)
• subscribe (to)
• lionize
• favor
• venerate
• hallow
• OK

2

as in to despise

to ignore in a disrespectful manner

she scorned the advice of her ophthalmologist and had the laser eye surgery anyway

Synonyms & Similar Words

• despise
• disregard
• forget
• dismiss
• flout
• neglect
• overlook
• pass over
• disparage
• belittle
• slight
• deprecate
• slur (over)
• overpass

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• accept
• use
• approve

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb scorn differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of scorn are contemn, despise, and disdain. While all these words mean "to regard as unworthy of one's notice or consideration," scorn implies a ready or indignant contempt.

scorns the very thought of retirement

When might contemn be a better fit than scorn?

The words contemn and scorn can be used in similar contexts, but contemn implies a vehement condemnation of a person or thing as low, vile, feeble, or ignominious.

contemns the image of women promoted by advertisers

Where would despise be a reasonable alternative to scorn?

The synonyms despise and scorn are sometimes interchangeable, but despise may suggest an emotional response ranging from strong dislike to loathing.

despises cowards

When is disdain a more appropriate choice than scorn?

In some situations, the words disdain and scorn are roughly equivalent. However, disdain implies an arrogant or supercilious aversion to what is regarded as unworthy.

disdained popular music

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of scorn

Noun

Now, the county is reportedly close to a deal to buy the site from the developer for a cost of $400 million — some of it to be paid over 20 years — and the premium has brought national attention and local scorn to Levine Cava for the situation. — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026

The technological development is prompting people to embrace the old understanding of typos, forgiving misspellings as inevitable errors rather than treating them with scorn. — Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026

Verb

Gerardo Ortiz What’s a música mexicana festival without a bit of yearning and scorned romance? — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2026

Those who believed in finvenkismo scorned Raŭmismo. — Katie Thornton, Harpers Magazine, 26 May 2026