1
as in contemptuous
feeling or showing open dislike for someone or something regarded as undeserving of respect or concern
the actress gave the paparazzi a scornful glare before breezing on by them
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in slighting
intended to make a person or thing seem of little importance or value
the tenant's complaints were met with the scornful observation that he expected too much for the rent he was paying
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scornful
During the decade since Hitler took power, women married to Jewish men defied scornful social, economic and political pressure, day after day.
—
Danielle Wirsansky,
The Conversation,
10 Mar. 2026
His medium was the linocut print—clean, strong, and scornful of embellishment.
—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
16 Feb. 2026
And with a scornful undercurrent at the fact that Charli apparently stole Johannes out from under her.
—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
24 Jan. 2026
Trump’s reaction to Modi’s trip to Tianjin has been scornful, claiming that India is offering to drop all tariffs on American goods.
—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scornful
Danielle Wirsansky,
The Conversation,
10 Mar. 2026
His medium was the linocut print—clean, strong, and scornful of embellishment.
—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
16 Feb. 2026
And with a scornful undercurrent at the fact that Charli apparently stole Johannes out from under her.
—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
24 Jan. 2026
Trump’s reaction to Modi’s trip to Tianjin has been scornful, claiming that India is offering to drop all tariffs on American goods.
—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scornful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scornful
Adjective
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The Uganda Law Society demanded Lukwago's immediate release, saying his arrest was contemptuous of court processes.
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Koenig’s former Yankees teammates were contemptuous of that miserly decision.
Adjective
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Considering there were only 33 appearances this past season, such Heat prudence hardly could be viewed as insulting.
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What Florence has been doing is consistent and insulting.
Adjective
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His whole behavior toward women is so disdainful.
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The popularity of e-bikes and e-motos has soared since the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving lawmakers and law enforcement scrambling to regulate the bikes that are often used by young riders ignorant or disdainful of the rules of the road.
Adjective
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He was charged with arson, malicious destruction by means of a fire and timber set aflame.
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Johnson said the bill was meant to curtail malicious records requests, which do happen, where a citizen goes after copious amounts of records just to be a jerk and cost the government time and money.
Adjective
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West Germany, arrogant attitude adjusted, pounded Chile, 4-1.
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Lasso, in his initial introduction to audiences, wasn’t the warm, pun-loving, inspirational coach audiences would eventually embrace through Apple +, but a slightly arrogant buffoon parodying the average American sports fan.
Adjective
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Felix points to Trump’s disparaging and false comments against Haitians in Springfield, Ohio, which put a target on the back of many Haitian immigrants.
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While Trump’s talk of a possible NATO pullout dates back years, the comments to The Telegraph newspaper in the U.K., published Wednesday, were among the clearest and most disparaging yet — suggesting that the fracture has deepened perhaps to a point of no return.
Adjective
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Swift moved on from one Brit to the next, quietly dating actor Joe Alwyn from 2017 to 2023, while the world spent back-to-back cruel summers without Taymerica.
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This is particularly gratifying given the absurd and cruel trolling the young actress received from the toxic corners of internet fandom leading up to the film’s release.
Adjective
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Nobody wants anything derogatory about them, so our first thought is — could any part of this be seen as making fun of this person or this song?
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The Obamas have faced racist and derogatory attacks for years, including from public officials and online memes.
Cite this Entry
“Scornful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scornful. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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