contumely

American  

[kon-too-muh-lee, -tyoo-, kuhn-too-muh-lee, -tyoo-, kon-tuhm-lee, -tyoom, -chuhm] / ˈkɒn tʊ mə li, -tyʊ-, kənˈtu mə li, -ˈtyu-, ˈkɒn təm li, -tyum, -tʃəm /

noun

plural

contumelies

1. insulting display of contempt in words or actions; contemptuous or humiliating treatment.

   Synonyms:

   rudeness, disdain, scorn, abuse

2. a humiliating insult.

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contumely British  

/ ˌkɒntjʊˈmiːlɪəs, ˈkɒntjʊmɪlɪ /

noun

1. scornful or insulting language or behaviour

2. a humiliating or scornful insult

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Other Word Forms

• contumelious adjective
• contumeliously adverb
• contumeliousness noun

Etymology

Origin of contumely

1350–1400; Middle English contumelie (< Anglo-French ) < Latin contumēlia, perhaps akin to contumāx ( contumacy ), though formation and sense development are unclear

Explanation

Contumely is an old-fashioned term that means "nasty, insulting speech," like the contumely heaped on the opposing team by a home team's fans. Don't be led astray by that -ly ending: contumely is a noun, not an adverb. Use contumely when you need an impressive (if obscure) way to say "contemptuous language" or "offensive behavior." You might stop a bully in his tracks by shouting, "I don't have to put up with this contumely!" Experts believe this word comes from the Latin contumax, "haughty or insolent."

Example Sentences

He prints plenty of contumely — mostly snobbish disapproval from Eastern visitors — about his hometown.

From New York Times • Nov. 26, 2018

The choice brought more contumely from fans, who had never heard of him, or feared another Andrea Bargnani, a fragile product of European ball.

From The New Yorker • Feb. 3, 2016

The white-haired “out” socialist delivered, heaping contumely on the billionaires and hedge fund managers in a Brooklyn baritone accent that, if you shut your eyes, sounded like Larry David.

From Newsweek • Apr. 8, 2015

That contumely registered exactly 0% with the movie’s core constituency: the ladies.

From Time • Nov. 20, 2011

Each day, Bull poured torrents of contumely on his morning paper.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy