contempt

[kuhn-tempt]

noun

1. the feeling with which a person regards anything considered mean, vile, or worthless; disdain; scorn.

2. the state of being despised; dishonor; disgrace.

3. Law.

   1. willful disobedience to or open disrespect for the rules or orders of a court contempt of court or legislative body.

   2. an act showing such disrespect.

contempt

/ kənˈtɛmpt /

noun

1. the attitude or feeling of a person towards a person or thing that he considers worthless or despicable; scorn

2. the state of being scorned; disgrace (esp in the phrase hold in contempt )

3. wilful disregard of or disrespect for the authority of a court of law or legislative body

   contempt of court

Other Word Forms

• self-contempt noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of contempt¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin contemptus “despising, scorn,” noun derivative of contemnere “to despise, scorn”; contemn

Word History and Origins

Origin of contempt¹

C14: from Latin contemptus a despising, from contemnere to _contemn

Idioms and Phrases

see familiarity breeds contempt.

Synonym Study

contempt , disdain , scorn imply strong feelings of disapproval and aversion toward what seems base, mean, or worthless. contempt is disapproval tinged with disgust: to feel contempt for a weakling . disdain is a feeling that a person or thing is beneath one's dignity and unworthy of one's notice, respect, or concern: a disdain for crooked dealing . scorn denotes open or undisguised contempt often combined with derision: He showed only scorn for those who were not as ambitious as himself.

Example Sentences

Jacob Zuma was jailed for contempt of court for refusing to take part in an inquiry into allegations of corruption during his presidency that led to his sacking.

Read more on BBC

He wasn’t, of course, and he reportedly had nothing but contempt for his followers.

Read more on Salon

But the loudest voices offering only contempt and scorn are found — where else? — online.

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But it was further evidence of his abundant contempt for the rule of law.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

She flicked the bottom of the potato with her index finger, a gesture of clear contempt.

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Related Words

• antipathy 
• condescension 
• defiance 
• derision 
• disdain 
• disregard 
• disrespect 
• distaste 
• hatred 
• malice 
• mockery 
• neglect 
• ridicule 
• scorn