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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to disdain
to show contempt for
scorned the religious traditions of their ancestors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scorn
Jim Cramer, CNBC, 25 Jan. 2026
One day, Salim endures abuse from Israeli soldiers and earns the scorn of Noor, who is radicalized both by his grandfather’s trauma and his father’s apparent cowardice.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 14 Jan. 2026
Literary Hub, 13 Mar. 2026
In between the first two Godfather films, Cazale acted in another Coppola film, The Conversation (1974), playing Stan, an assistant to a meticulous and devout surveillance expert (Gene Hackman) who scorns Stan’s irreverent attitude to their work.
—René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scorn
Noun
Third, the scorn for this trio now seems priced in at these low levels relative to their highs.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 25 Jan. 2026
One day, Salim endures abuse from Israeli soldiers and earns the scorn of Noor, who is radicalized both by his grandfather’s trauma and his father’s apparent cowardice.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 14 Jan. 2026
Verb
With assistance from Pittsburgh engineer Don Gilmore, the chapel received a new foundation, roof, columned porch, and was bestowed with historical status—all of which helped shift Evans City’s perspective on the film that, until then, some locals had scorned.
—Literary Hub, 13 Mar. 2026
In between the first two Godfather films, Cazale acted in another Coppola film, The Conversation (1974), playing Stan, an assistant to a meticulous and devout surveillance expert (Gene Hackman) who scorns Stan’s irreverent attitude to their work.
—René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scorn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scorn
Noun
-
The committee previously held Bill and Hillary Clinton in contempt for refusing to comply with subpoenas related to the same Epstein investigation.—
Stephen Groves,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
For his followers, blaspheming the Holocaust and celebrating Hitler became a way to signal contempt for the political religion of postwar liberalism.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In Sondheim’s body of work, Okrent searches for the autobiographical resonances that Sondheim himself mostly disdained.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Because that man is going out of his way to remind everyone why, exactly, he is universally disdained.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Larson’s son Lane, then 9, had grown up loving the Bulldogs and despising their rivals, and made his feelings clear.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Though Brigitta despises him, Maria shelters him.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Gracie’s discovery is squelched and this character’s value to the play comes in establishing how institutional silence can have an equally pernicious impact on confronting social hatreds.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
7 Apr. 2026
-
There is nothing quite like the theater and hatred that comes when the Penguins and Flyers share a sheet of ice.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Hybrid meetings often lead to awkward moments and deeper challenges regarding participation and inclusion, as remote workers may feel disrespected yet safer at home; executive coach Kim Scott offers strategies to foster inviting collaboration and equal participation for all team members.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
1 Apr. 2026
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The guard then went to Ada’s table and — according to the girl’s parents — spoke to Ada and her mother aggressively about disrespecting and harassing people.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Nelson disregarded—or allegedly did not see—the order from his superior to pull back.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Today, a president disregards assessments that proved to be right, and the predictable comes to pass.—
Shane Harris,
The Atlantic,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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So why not lean into the Dodgers hate by turning this year’s All-Star Game into a Dodgers-against-the-world affair?—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The Republicans want people to hate paying taxes.—
Binyamin Appelbaum,
Mercury News,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scorn. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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