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
Relevance
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
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
Ned Temko, Christian Science Monitor, 22 May 2025
In a world rattled by President Trump’s tariffs and his scorn for Western allies, Mr. Hegseth confirmed that the Indo-Pacific remains a rare exception — a region where the United States favors continuity in security alliances more than disruption.
—Damien Cave, New York Times, 31 May 2025
The New Yorker, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
Presumably a runaway, Carol’s disappearance earned her family scorn and erasure.
—Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for scorn
Noun
Some strident Trump supporters did greet his elevation with scorn.
—Ned Temko, Christian Science Monitor, 22 May 2025
In a world rattled by President Trump’s tariffs and his scorn for Western allies, Mr. Hegseth confirmed that the Indo-Pacific remains a rare exception — a region where the United States favors continuity in security alliances more than disruption.
—Damien Cave, New York Times, 31 May 2025
Verb
The novel brims with feeling for these figures, who, though scorned by society, belong to it nonetheless.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
Presumably a runaway, Carol’s disappearance earned her family scorn and erasure.
—Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for scorn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scorn
Noun
-
This containment allows partners to express anger, frustration or hurt without slipping into destructive patterns like contempt, stonewalling or emotional withdrawal.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
Rather, state law says they can be held in contempt of court or sued by the Colorado Attorney General’s Office.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
13 July 2025
Verb
-
Isn’t the point that Texans, Floridians and Tennesseans disdain big government, and by extension, would like to control it more?—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2025
-
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
Verb
-
Centrists despised the deep cuts to programs for the poor and elderly.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
1 July 2025
-
Many of them love their country but despise what the regime has turned it into.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
It's been very difficult to see just how much of this hatred has been normalized.—
Leila Fadel,
NPR,
1 July 2025
-
Period drama enthusiasts will be interested to know that Wright set the movie in the late-18th century instead of the early-19th century in part because of his hatred of empire waist dresses.—
Lia Beck,
EW.com,
25 June 2025
Verb
-
As the moon clashes with Saturn, the sense that you’ve been disrespected eats at you.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
9 July 2025
-
Ramsey reportedly was routinely late for team practices and openly disrespected McDaniel, Grier and former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio in front of teammates.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
And if the expansionists prevail, the customer is being disregarded at alarming levels here.—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
-
Tariffs are raising costs while public discourse increasingly disregards science itself.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 July 2025
Verb
-
The premise is that America is caught in a bind between a political left that’s too afraid of growth and a political right that hates government investment and involvement.—
Scott Peters,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 July 2025
-
Bullies hate that because kindness takes their power away.—
Rob Salkowitz,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scorn. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share