scorn 1 of 2

scorn

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb scorn differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of scorn are contemn, despise, and disdain. While all these words mean "to regard as unworthy of one's notice or consideration," scorn implies a ready or indignant contempt.

scorns the very thought of retirement

When might contemn be a better fit than scorn?

The words contemn and scorn can be used in similar contexts, but contemn implies a vehement condemnation of a person or thing as low, vile, feeble, or ignominious.

contemns the image of women promoted by advertisers

Where would despise be a reasonable alternative to scorn?

The synonyms despise and scorn are sometimes interchangeable, but despise may suggest an emotional response ranging from strong dislike to loathing.

despises cowards

When is disdain a more appropriate choice than scorn?

In some situations, the words disdain and scorn are roughly equivalent. However, disdain implies an arrogant or supercilious aversion to what is regarded as unworthy.

disdained popular music

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 scorn
Noun
If not for Cleveland’s mad dash to the finish line — going 20-7 in September — the Tigers’ collapse might not have been the center of such scorn. Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025 The piece instantly became the subject of viral memes and inspired an uproarious exchange on TNT’s NBA Tip-Off during which Charles Barkley couldn’t contain his scorn. Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 30 Aug. 2025
Verb
Gastineau says the video has led to him being ridiculed and scorned. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2025 Imagine doing all this as a woman in fifteenth-century Europe, with three children to raise on your own, in a society that scorned women who took up a pen rather than the sewing needle. Emily Zarevich, JSTOR Daily, 23 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for scorn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scorn
Noun
  • While support for the president and contempt for the left has united conservative media for years, Gaza has been driving a wedge between two of the right’s biggest names.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2025
  • The group pledged support for the creatives known as the Hollywood Ten, who were cited for contempt of Congress after refusing to address the House Un-American Activities Committee about supposed communist affiliations.
    Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • California’s Democratic establishment disdains Citizen Pratt.
    Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Lewis Wedlock, a social psychologist specializing in masculinities, notes that the term is especially cutting when a man uses it to refer to another man, which can imply disdain for his authenticity and his submission in pandering to women.
    Ashleigh N. DeLuca, Parents, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Both brothers despise their father, for good reason.
    Karl Ove Knausgaard, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2025
  • The fact that the film is named after its subject’s most beloved — and most despised by Hart himself — hit tells you everything.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield hasn't been shy about his hatred of the rival NFL franchise.
    Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Lee disrespects national park values with these twin bills, and Curtis, who likes to tout his nature sensitivity on hikes with constituents, should know better.
    Stephen Trimble, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
  • The premiere episode opens with Colter starting a brawl in a small town bar after another patron disrespects the bartender.
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Raine family’s lawyers will have to prove that OpenAI was aware of the risks posed by ChatGPT and disregarded them.
    Nikita Ostrovsky, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
  • This time, the environmental advocacy group contended that San Diego’s supplemental analysis of the visual impacts of taller buildings, prepared in advance of the 2022 ballot measure, disregarded other consequential environmental factors.
    Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Meanwhile, her sister Bree (Lynch) hates the thought of motherhood.
    Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2025
  • In the clip, White jokes about hating Reynolds.
    Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Scorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scorn. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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