contemptuous
[kuh n-temp-choo-uh s]
- showing or expressing contempt or disdain; scornful; disrespectful.
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Origin of contemptuous
Synonyms
See more synonyms for contemptuous on Thesaurus.comdisdainful, sneering, insolent, arrogant, supercilious, haughty.
Antonyms
respectful.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for contemptuously
Historical Examples
And I believe I smiled a little too contemptuously for a sister to a sister.
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
The commissionaire regarded him contemptuously, but did not reply to the sarcasm.
The Foolish LoversSt. John G. Ervine
“Nobody will believe what a man of that sort says,” said Mr Vladimir contemptuously.
The Secret AgentJoseph Conrad
He stooped, picked it up, and cast it contemptuously from him.
Good IndianB. M. Bower
A nobleman once contemptuously asked of a sage, “What have you got by all your philosophy?”
Self-HelpSamuel Smiles
contemptuous
- (when predicative, often foll by of) showing or feeling contempt; disdainful
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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
Word Origin and History for contemptuously
contemptuous
adj.
1590s, from Latin contemptus (see contempt). Related: Contemptuously.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper