CONTEMPT Synonyms: 93 Similar and Opposite Words

contempt

noun

kən-ˈtem(p)t

Definition of contempt

as in disdain

open dislike for someone or something considered unworthy of one's concern or respect my undying contempt for people who abuse animals

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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 contempt Taylor was later found in willful contempt for violating their divorce terms and ordered to pay $70,000 to cover Shumpert’s legal fees. — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 12 Oct. 2026 Slota’s stated contempt for law enforcement and support for armed resistance was on display before his arrest. — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026 Congress could claw back some of its authority if committee chairs were prepared to subpoena those who refuse to testify, direct witnesses to answer pertinent questions, and pursue contempt proceedings against uncooperative witnesses. — David Wippman, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2026 Craven’s article is similarly one-way traffic on behalf of Rowling but done with a level of contempt toward trans people that almost swaggers in its certainty. — Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contempt

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contempt

Noun

The video was quickly met with disdain from Acton, the Democratic Governors Association, and others.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 21 Oct. 2026
For Moscow, though, the deals, the incentives, and even the shared disdain for Kyiv are not seen as a cue to play ball and back down, but as a sign that its US strategy is yielding results.

— Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of disdain

Noun

The rioters waved the Confederate flag, a clear symbol of racist hatred.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
At least one person was killed and four people were injured in a shooting near Paris that may have been motivated by Islamophobic hatred, French officials say.

— Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of hatred

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“Contempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contempt. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of contempt

noun

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