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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Recent Examples of contempt
And to date, the Republican majority, which has subpoena power, which has the ability to move bills to the floor, which has the ability to hold administration officials in contempt, has shown precisely zero interest in doing that.
—
Michel Martin, NPR, 24 June 2025
Violating the terms of a gang injunction could land someone in contempt of court, a misdemeanor that carries up to a six-month sentence.
—Sean Emery, Oc Register, 24 June 2025
But the move can also be seen as yet another tack away from internationalism, and an indication of ultimately self-defeating contempt for international norms and institutions.
—Time, 17 June 2025
Court officials reviewed YouTube footage and charged Troconis with criminal contempt of court, a misdemeanor, on the same day she was convicted of helping her boyfriend execute and cover up his wife’s murder.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for contempt
Michel Martin, NPR, 24 June 2025
Violating the terms of a gang injunction could land someone in contempt of court, a misdemeanor that carries up to a six-month sentence.
—Sean Emery, Oc Register, 24 June 2025
But the move can also be seen as yet another tack away from internationalism, and an indication of ultimately self-defeating contempt for international norms and institutions.
—Time, 17 June 2025
Court officials reviewed YouTube footage and charged Troconis with criminal contempt of court, a misdemeanor, on the same day she was convicted of helping her boyfriend execute and cover up his wife’s murder.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for contempt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contempt
Noun
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In speeches and interviews as health secretary, Kennedy has made clear his disdain for mainstream autism research, brushing aside the insights gained for this tremendously complex condition through years of research.—
Caren Zucker,
The Atlantic,
6 July 2025
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Mason's family murmured their disdain from the back of the courtroom while Broadwell addressed her.—
Jade Jackson,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
Noun
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It's been very difficult to see just how much of this hatred has been normalized.—
Leila Fadel,
NPR,
1 July 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Contempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contempt. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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