Contemptuous
— showing contempt; scornful
Contemptuous means showing contempt — a feeling that someone or something is beneath consideration, worthless, or deserving of scorn. It describes an attitude of open disdain and disrespect.
A contemptuous look says more than words: it communicates that the person finds you unworthy of their time or attention. A contemptuous dismissal, a contemptuous laugh, or a contemptuous silence all convey deep scorn. The word is always about looking down on someone — not with anger, but with cold, withering disdain.
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Memory Mnemonic
CON TEMPT US
The keyword CON TEMPT US comes from how Contemptuous sounds when spoken aloud. This pronunciation connection makes it easy to recall the keyword whenever you hear or see the word.
Memory Link
The CON man tried to TEMPT US—but we gave him a scornful look, showing contempt!
Picture a CON man trying to TEMPT US with a shady deal — and we respond with a scornful, withering look that says he is completely beneath our consideration. Visualise the disdain on our faces, the cold silence, the way we turn away without even dignifying his pitch with a response. That open, cutting scorn — the feeling that someone is utterly unworthy — is contemptuous.
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Usage Examples
- She gave him a contemptuous glare when he suggested she wasn't qualified for the role.
- The critic was contemptuous of the film, calling it the worst thing he had seen all year.
- His contemptuous tone during the meeting made it clear he had no respect for the proposal.
- The defendant showed a contemptuous disregard for the court by refusing to stand when addressed.
- They were contemptuous of anyone who didn't share their elite educational background.
Etymology of Contemptuous
From Medieval Latin contemptuosus, meaning "full of contempt," derived from Latin contemptus (scorn), past participle of contemnere (to despise), from con- (intensifier) + temnere (to scorn). The word entered English in the 16th century and has always described an attitude of open, withering disdain.
Synonyms & Antonyms of Contemptuous
Synonyms
Antonyms
Common Collocations with Contemptuous
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