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
David Folkenflik, NPR, 8 Dec. 2025
Other women were political leaders who earned the scorn of their contemporaries.
—Time, 24 Nov. 2025
Ian Parker, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
Now that scorned versatile player might want to stick it to the 49ers, who’ve allowed six touchdowns to tight ends in the past six games.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scorn
Noun
Paramount came in for particular scorn.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 8 Dec. 2025
Other women were political leaders who earned the scorn of their contemporaries.
—Time, 24 Nov. 2025
Verb
Western sunniness about coexistence with China, of the Tom Friedman kind, should be scorned.
—Ian Parker, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
Now that scorned versatile player might want to stick it to the 49ers, who’ve allowed six touchdowns to tight ends in the past six games.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scorn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scorn
Noun
-
The full House was on the verge of voting on the contempt resolution, which was expected to pass with bipartisan support, when the Clintons agreed to the committee's terms to appear.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
In accordance with the film’s main theme of toxic white colonialism, Kennedy treats Philomac with contempt but shows a weird fealty to Casey.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Krikorian said a more traditional law enforcement approach should trade street sweeps for a greater focus on worksite enforcement – something Homan has advocated for, but which Trump disdains.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
7 Feb. 2026
-
White supremacy, which is very much alive in the land — turn on the news — disdains every people of color.—
Robert Lloyd,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The aide, Colonel Dave Butler, a former infantry officer, is a longtime leader in Army public affairs (not a specialty Hegseth embraces) who worked closely with the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley (whom Hegseth despises).—
Missy Ryan,
The Atlantic,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Liberal Democrats who despised Daley as a corrupt big-city boss hailed Jackson as a hero.—
Johanna Neuman,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
What began as skepticism towards AI has curdled into a palpable AI hatred across the American workforce.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Given their hatred of Indigenous people, Casey and Frank set out to bring them back, a vengeance mission with echoes of The Searchers.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The report cards slammed several teams with anonymous comments that accused some teams of disrespecting players’ families, employing substandard training staffs and other denunciations.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Piagentini dismissed those factors as beside the point, saying judges should trust juries’ sentencing decisions and that Davis’ ruling disrespected the jury process.—
Monroe Trombly,
Louisville Courier Journal,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
During closing statements last month, prosecutors argued that the four people disregarded safety precautions, with former employees testifying that the facility failed to use ground straps.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The plan also totally disregards the historical and religious sites in the Strip.—
Hussein Ibish,
The Atlantic,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Does this mean Chicago people will hate them?—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
-
That title goes to the government of messianic zealots, Arab-hating nationalists and anti-modern ultra-Orthodox Israelis put together by Netanyahu to keep himself in power.—
Thomas L. Friedman,
Mercury News,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scorn. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
