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Synonyms

disdainful

American  
[dis-deyn-fuhl] / dɪsˈdeɪn fəl /

adjective

  1. full of or showing disdain; scornful.

    Synonyms:
    supercilious, haughty, derisive, contemptuous
disdainful British  
/ dɪsˈdeɪnfʊl /

adjective

  1. showing or feeling disdain

"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

Other Word Forms

  • disdainfully adverb
  • disdainfulness noun

Etymology

Origin of disdainful

First recorded in 1535–45; disdain + -ful

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.

They also told me he could turn on a dime and become reclusive or even disdainful of dinner guests.

From The Wall Street Journal

A slap over extra cover for six was part of some disdainful treatment of Boland, who conceded 62 from his 10 overs.

From BBC

However, she was on the receiving end of many curious, pitying, and disdainful looks.

From Literature

From the directors' box came disdainful comments, on the lack of defensive work by the main stars, despite meetings between the manager and them to turn things around, and Ancelotti's management of emerging talents.

From BBC

Following England regularly is to know captain Ben Stokes is disdainful about the idea of being "ruthless".

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.