contemptuous
adjective
showing or expressing contempt or disdain; scornful; disrespectful.
contemptuousness
-
a word derived from
contemptuous.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
She glanced at him once with what looked like a hint of contemptuousness and ended without detouring.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 10, 2026
This is arrogant moviemaking: its assumption is that the proles will buy their tickets and march unprotestingly through the fun house no matter how evident is the contemptuousness of the barkers.
From Time Magazine Archive
He looked through her with a contemptuousness such as she could not have imagined.
From Main Street by Sinclair Lewis
This last was uttered with the contemptuousness one always feels toward a mighty government that allows itself to be outdone by corporations or individuals.
From A Republic Without a President and Other Stories by Herbert D. (Herbert Dickinson) Ward
She muttered rather than spoke these few words, but with a contemptuousness of inflection that was most expressive.
From The Faith Doctor A Story of New York by Edward Eggleston
