(intr, adverb; foll by on or upon) to express or show contempt or disdain (for)
informal to be contemptuous or disdainful of
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
McKenzie said the F-22s would provide the UAE with "one of the best look-down radars in the world," capable of identifying targets including land attack cruise missiles and drones.
From Reuters ● Feb. 6, 2022
For as long as music exists and the human race has ears, they’ll always be an uppity group of critics that look-down on the old I-IV-V Three Chord Rule.
From Time ● Jul. 17, 2014
But critics maintain that when the Soviets develop new defensive weapons, including look-down radar and radar picket planes, like the AWACS, the B-l will become obsolete.
From Time Magazine Archive
For instance, espionage allowed the Soviets to copy the "look-down, shoot-down" radar capability of the F-18, saving an estimated five years and $55 million in research.
From Time Magazine Archive
He suspected everybody of despising him, and was perpetually trying to look-down the scorn of others with still deeper scorn.
From The Doctor's Wife by Braddon, M. E. (Mary Elizabeth)
Why do wealthy retirees look down on others?
From MarketWatch ● May 15, 2026
The game now for smart TVs is to engage viewers wholly enough on their bigger screens that they feel less tempted to look down at their smaller ones.
From Slate ● May 3, 2026
“I look down and a giant tarantula is crawling up my pants,” he said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 19, 2026
"I'm not claiming that everyone should abandon marriage or look down on married people in any way," Seen says.
From BBC ● Apr. 18, 2026
I stop and look down at this horrible human.
From "Popcorn" by Rob Harrell
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.
