scornful

[skawrn-fuhl]

adjective

1. full of scorn; derisive; contemptuous,

   He smiled in a scornful way.

Other Word Forms

• scornfully adverb
• scornfulness noun
• unscornful adjective
• unscornfulness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of scornful¹

A Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; scorn, -ful

Example Sentences

A big part of right-wing propaganda is to paint liberals as scornful elites, which — sometimes there is some of that, it’s part of human nature.

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What price female solidarity and empowerment, after all, if the weapon of actualization is an abusive system, one that invariably draws Santosh into its clubby, scornful, vigilante mindset?

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The politicians, socialites, and Catholic leaders present at the dinner didn’t take the joke well, but their groans weren’t nearly as scornful as the former First Lady’s reaction.

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At other times, Trump was more animated, whispering to his legal team and reacting to the proceedings with scornful expressions.

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Women she spoke with were “scornful” of her approach.

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Related Words

• derisive 
• mocking 
• rude 
• sneering www.thesaurus.com