contumely
insulting display of contempt in words or actions; contemptuous or humiliating treatment.
a humiliating insult.
Origin of contumely
1Other words for contumely
Other words from contumely
- con·tu·me·li·ous [kon-too-mee-lee-uhs, -tyoo-], /ˌkɒn tuˈmi li əs, -tyu-/, adjective
- con·tu·me·li·ous·ly, adverb
- con·tu·me·li·ous·ness, noun
Words Nearby contumely
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use contumely in a sentence
Any one might differ with their conclusions, but is it courteous or decent to hold them up to ridicule and contumely?
And yet one could not treat with contumely a person who acted in one's interests.
The Secret Witness | George GibbsWell, if the man be treated with contumely, he may very likely despair and give up all hope of improvement.
Tales of Northumbria | Howard PeaseThere is absolutely no image-making art in the practice of our people, except only this art of rags and contumely.
Ceres' Runaway | Alice MeynellNeither the Captain's contumely nor the garrison's insults had humiliated or discouraged her.
The Life of Joan of Arc, Vol. 1 and 2 (of 2) | Anatole France
British Dictionary definitions for contumely
/ (ˈkɒntjʊmɪlɪ) /
scornful or insulting language or behaviour
a humiliating or scornful insult
Origin of contumely
1Derived forms of contumely
- contumelious (ˌkɒntjʊˈmiːlɪəs), adjective
- contumeliously, adverb
- contumeliousness, noun
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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