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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 scornful Meghan Markle's Netflix Backlash Meghan's Netflix show earned scornful reviews not only in the British press, long the villains of Meghan and Prince Harry's narrative, but also among U.S. outlets that previously provided glowing coverage. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025 The Nosotros people had returned Borja’s bribe money to him with no comment, only scornful silence, but the sting of the snub had not gone very deep. Charles Portis, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025 This is the trapped subject, the voice crying out in the wilderness, seeking a response from the Everything but getting only the scornful bounce-back of itself. James Parker, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2025 With the scornful wave spreading across social media, Marvel waded in to stem the tide. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for scornful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scornful
Adjective
  • The lawsuit plaintiffs certainly don’t see any benefit to being represented in any capacity by an organization whose leaders are openly contemptuous of their faith, their values and their culture.
    Jeff Rhodes, Oc Register, 30 July 2025
  • In dealing with this Administration, with its maximalist conception of executive authority and its contemptuous attitude toward the judiciary, the Justices are being played for fools.
    Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Trump has even been disdainful or dismissive of the United States’ traditional allies, such as Mexico and Argentina.
    Christopher Sabatini, Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2017
  • Wise minds inside the Trump administration will hopefully choose to drop a suit first introduced during by a Biden administration reflexively disdainful of big.
    John Tamny, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The fourth-year coach is having none of it, dismissing outside opinions as irrelevant and insulting.
    Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2025
  • And slandering council members, who publicly supported Madigan before Khadija Walker was nominated, is disrespectful and insulting.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • But this act of arrogant bullying should also re-kindle the spirit of hope and unity that swept through this community in the aftermath of that horrible night in 2016, that still binds Orlando in its 150th anniversary year.
    Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025
  • Harry Potter fans might recognize Stroma for playing the arrogant Hogwarts student named Cormac McLaggen in the film franchise.
    Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Here is another example from my work: a luxury brand facing daily phishing attacks receives real-time alerts with direct links to malicious sites, allowing their legal team to act immediately.
    Dima Raketa, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
  • Some states are still without such laws, however, leaving resident vulnerable to malicious lawsuits.
    Angele Latham, The Tennessean, 26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • As Wallace and Gromit investigate this mysterious thief, their paths cross with the cruel, trigger-happy Lord Victor Quartermaine (Ralph Fiennes), who has his own ambitions for the competition and Wallace’s love interest, Lady Tottington (Helena Bonham Carter).
    Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Auggie isn’t a cruel, withholding bigot, but a stable and loving parent.
    Adam B. Vary, Variety, 22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • This subsided with unusual speed, however, as cricket fans took instead to sharing the self-deprecatory jokes coming over the border.
    The Economist, The Economist, 22 June 2019
  • Philipps has acquired her 1-million-and-growing Instagram followers through her self-deprecatory humor, raw honesty and vulnerability.
    Sonja Haller, USA TODAY, 11 July 2018
Adjective
  • There is no fan base in hockey more frustrated than Buffalo’s, and rightfully so given the franchise’s abhorrent streak of futility.
    Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
  • But its placement in the series finale only makes the moment that much more abhorrent.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Scornful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scornful. Accessed 1 Sep. 2025.

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