Contemptuous

kuhn-temp-choo-uhs

/kənˈtemp.tʃu.əs/

Adjective

Meaning

  • Contemptuous means showing or expressing a strong feeling of dislike, disrespect, or disdain toward someone or something.
  • A contemptuous person treats others as inferior or unworthy.

Examples

  • She gave him a contemptuous look when he lied.
  • His contemptuous remarks offended everyone in the meeting.
  • The manager spoke in a contemptuous tone to the interns.
  • He laughed contemptuously at the idea, showing he didn’t take it seriously.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms Antonyms
Disdainful Scornful Haughty Sneering Arrogant Derisive Respectful Polite Admiring Humble Considerate

Word Forms

  • Contemptuously (adverb) – in a scornful or disdainful manner
  • Contemptuousness (noun) – the quality of being contemptuous

Origin / Etymology

From Latin contemptuosus, meaning “scornful,” derived from contemptus (contempt, disdain) and contemnere (to despise). The word has been used in English since the early 15th century.

Grammar Information

  • Used as an adjective to describe attitudes, expressions, or behavior.
  • Often followed by prepositions of or toward: contemptuous of rules, contemptuous toward critics.
  • Common in formal, literary, or descriptive contexts.

Translations

  • Hindi: तिरस्कारपूर्ण / घृणास्पद
  • Tamil: அவமரியாதை காட்டும்
  • Telugu: తిరస్కరణాత్మక
  • Spanish: despectivo / desdeñoso
  • French: méprisant / dédaigneux
  • German: verächtlich / geringschätzig
  • Arabic: ازدرائي / متعجرف

Idioms & Phrases

  • Look contemptuously – to regard someone or something with scorn
  • Speak contemptuously – to talk in a disdainful manner
  • Contemptuous attitude – a general behavior of disrespect or disdain