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
Cummings will hold a follow-up hearing in November, and further violations could trigger contempt proceedings against individual agents.
—
Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Short, balding and deeply insecure, the embittered Hart (Ethan Hawke) offers some disingenuous congratulations, but can’t mask his contempt for Rodgers’ new writing partner and their swoony, uncynical show.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
Another federal judge convicted only Arpaio of criminal contempt in 2017 and was set to sentence him to up to six months in jail.
—Rafael Carranza, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2025
My relationship with my disease began as one of mutual contempt.
—David Soren, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contempt
Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Short, balding and deeply insecure, the embittered Hart (Ethan Hawke) offers some disingenuous congratulations, but can’t mask his contempt for Rodgers’ new writing partner and their swoony, uncynical show.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
Another federal judge convicted only Arpaio of criminal contempt in 2017 and was set to sentence him to up to six months in jail.
—Rafael Carranza, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2025
My relationship with my disease began as one of mutual contempt.
—David Soren, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contempt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contempt
Noun
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Their remaining team-mates applauded the away enclosure, but many in that section were gesticulating their disdain.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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Whores in the Attic gives us Gordon peeping up at three towering Asian succubi who regard her with disdain.—
Jerry Saltz,
Vulture,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The endorsement comes as Cuomo has lobbed increasingly caustic attacks on Mamdani, equating his criticism of Israel with antisemitism and warning of a city beset by crime, hatred and disorder if his opponent wins.—
Anthony Izaguirre,
Fortune,
24 Oct. 2025
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Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield hasn't been shy about his hatred of the rival NFL franchise.—
Matt Audilet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contempt. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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