contemn
to treat or regard with disdain, scorn, or contempt.
Origin of contemn
1Other words for contemn
Other words from contemn
- con·temn·er [kuhn-tem-er, -tem-ner], /kənˈtɛm ər, -ˈtɛm nər/, con·tem·nor [kuhn-tem-ner], /kənˈtɛm nər/, noun
- con·tem·ni·ble [kuhn-tem-nuh-buhl], /kənˈtɛm nə bəl/, adjective
- con·tem·ni·bly, adverb
- con·temn·ing·ly, adverb
- pre·con·temn, verb (used with object)
- un·con·temned, adjective
- un·con·temn·ing, adjective
- un·con·temn·ing·ly, adverb
Words that may be confused with contemn
- condemn, contemn
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use contemn in a sentence
They were Roman citizens, who contemned the laws of the barbarians.
It was not enough for her to remember that she despised the passion she excited, and contemned the men whom she fascinated.
Sevenoaks | J. G. HollandThen we, contemned Jews, shall enter into the communion of the great human family.
The Sword of Honor, volumes 1 & 2 | Eugne SueWine, tobacco, caviare, Strasburg goose-liver—Epicurus's choicest gifts to men of this world—are contemned by womankind.
Joan of the Sword Hand | S(amuel) R(utherford) CrockettThe bull, though openly contemned by the nation, became powerful in these solitary tribunals.
History of the Reformation in the Sixteenth Century, Vol 2 | J. H. Merle D'Aubign
British Dictionary definitions for contemn
/ (kənˈtɛm) /
(tr) formal to treat or regard with contempt; scorn
Origin of contemn
1Derived forms of contemn
- contemner (kənˈtɛmnə, -ˈtɛmə), noun
- contemnible (kənˈtɛmnɪbəl), adjective
- contemnibly, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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