scorn 1 of 2

scorn

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verb

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

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 scorn
Noun
What was clearly invented as an internet-friendly aside quickly became a popular series unto its own—even though O’Brien’s attempt at engaging with a younger generation’s interest was loaded with scorn. David Sims, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2025 Emanuel on Tuesday also caught some scorn from Johnson in the news conference. Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025
Verb
Forgive me if the phrase be strong A poet worthy of Rob Roy Must scorn a timid song. Patricia Lockwood, New Yorker, 18 May 2025 But today, many, if not most, of those friends – alarmed by the superpower showdown – are feeling unloved, unappreciated, even scorned by the United States. Ned Temko, Christian Science Monitor, 17 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for scorn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scorn
Noun
  • Most Popular Most Popular Judge finds Florida attorney general in contempt of court for flouting immigration order Judge finds Florida attorney general in contempt of court for flouting immigration order Will a new fireworks law stop mortar blasts in Orlando neighborhood?
    Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2025
  • There is Trump’s worrisome history of indulging or even admiring Putin, while showing contempt for his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
    Andreas Kluth, Mercury News, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • The reckoning that followed the murder of George Floyd has given way to a backlash and a president who disdains efforts at equality, complains of anti-white prejudice and purges powerful Black men and women in the name of a mythical colorblind society.
    Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
  • But just because a stock has been quiescent for a while is no reason to disdain it.
    John Dorfman, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • And Trump’s targeting of college campuses for being havens of antisemitism has caused a backlash from liberals who might despise that strain of hatred, but find Trump equally as loathsome.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 23 June 2025
  • Superman, due July 11, is the first feature film set in the new DCU, and arguably one of the highest-stakes movies ever made, though Gunn despises that framing.
    Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2025
Noun
  • There is a strong sense of hatred toward Netanyahu, whose calls for the Iranian public to take this opportunity to rise up and overthrow their leaders are seemingly falling flat.
    NBC News, NBC news, 19 June 2025
  • Miller is a man who is richly endowed with the capacity for hatred.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • This emotional fusion is not a sign of secure love, but a form of over-dependence, often rooted in early family and childhood experiences where individuality was discouraged or disrespected.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • If your boss downgrades your work or disrespects you, this is a huge red flag.
    Julia Sullivan, USA Today, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • Yet the White House disregarded that Los Angeles’ mayor and California’s governor both objected to the deployment.
    Jeremy Pressman, The Conversation, 15 June 2025
  • In late May, Kennedy disregarded the committee and announced the government would change the recommendation for children and pregnant women to get COVID-19 shots.
    Mike Stobbe, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
Verb
  • The buildings’ raw, unfinished concrete forms, typically simple, are loved or hated.
    Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025
  • Stone, specifically, wrote that Amazon executives knew something was up once helicopters, which Bezos famously hated, became an obsession of his.
    Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Scorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scorn. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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