contemptuous

adjective

con·temp·tu·ous kən-ˈtem(p)-chə-wəs How to pronounce contemptuous (audio)

-chəs,

-shwəs,

-chü-əs

: manifesting, feeling, or expressing deep hatred or disapproval : feeling or showing contempt

contemptuously adverb

contemptuousness noun

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What Is the Difference Between contemptuous and contemptible?

Contemptuous and contemptible are sometimes confused with each other. This is neither surprising, as they are similar in appearance, nor is it unprecedented: the words were used interchangeably for several hundred years (from the 16^th through the 18^th century), with each one meaning both "deserving contempt" and "showing contempt." By the early 19^th century, some commentators began raising objections when the words were used synonymously, suggesting that they should be distinguished, with contemptuous meaning only "showing contempt" and contemptible only "deserving contempt."

In the following passage, for example, a would-be critic is ridiculed for using contemptible in the sense "showing contempt":

“Young man! my opinion of you is very contemptible.” “All your opinions are contemptible,” rejoined Phillip, quietly. – Garry Avenel, Zou Mou, in The Iris, September, 1841

The distinction hinted at in this rebuke has been observed in English, by professional writers anyway, for close to 200 years.

Example Sentences

He owned a fine Kentucky rifle, with a cherry wood stock, and was contemptuous of the bulky carbines most of the troop had adopted.

Larry McMurtry, Dead Man's Walk, 1995 In his 1978 Harvard commencement address, Mr. Solzhenitsyn seemed at times contemptuous of American democracy …

Daniel Patrick Moynihan, New York Times Book Review, 24 Nov. 1991 He felt familiar enough to indulge in outbursts of rage or contemptuous sarcasm in her presence, and to display the most withering side of his character, lashing out at the people he despised.

Cynthia Ozick, New Yorker, 20 Nov. 1989 loutish tourists who are contemptuous of the ways and traditions of their host countries contemptuous comments about the baseball team's pathetic showings

Recent Examples on the Web Not posh, and neither impressed by nor contemptuous of those who were.

Ian Mcewan, The New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2022 Undaunted, and contemptuous of her sister’s cowardice, Antigone proceeds and is arrested.

Rachel Hadas, The Conversation, 8 July 2022 Even Charles Schultz was contemptuous, showing Sally’s confusion over joining sets, number sentences, and one-to-one matching.

Jonathon Keats, Forbes, 30 June 2022 Grandiosity is the sense of being above other people, and contemptuous of the rules.

Jancee Dunn, Vogue, 17 June 2022 Fiercely protective of his mother (Leslie Mann), who is bipolar, Andrew is openly contemptuous of his stern stepfather, Greg (Brad Garrett), a pharmaceuticals executive.

Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 16 June 2022 The South Carolina contests had their own dynamics — Mr. Rice was defiant and contemptuous of Mr. Trump to the end, while Ms. Mace tried hard to regain the good graces of Trump administration officials if not Mr. Trump himself.

New York Times, 14 June 2022 What happened to the idea that art and culture should be a contemptuous refuge from the mainstream, as opposed to this lickspittle, running dog accommodation to the mainstream?

Billboard Staff, Billboard, 3 June 2022 What has emerged publicly, however, shows how dangerous this nearly absolute authority can be in the hands of someone governed by self-interest, contemptuous of the rule of law, and emboldened by a divided and dysfunctional Congress.

Jake Bernstein, The New York Review of Books, 23 Apr. 2020 See More

单词	contemptuous
释义	contemptuous adjective con·temp·tu·ous kən-ˈtem(p)-chə-wəs -chəs, -shwəs, -chü-əs : manifesting, feeling, or expressing deep hatred or disapproval : feeling or showing contempt contemptuously adverb contemptuousness noun Did you know? What Is the Difference Between contemptuous and contemptible? Contemptuous and contemptible are sometimes confused with each other. This is neither surprising, as they are similar in appearance, nor is it unprecedented: the words were used interchangeably for several hundred years (from the 16^th through the 18^th century), with each one meaning both "deserving contempt" and "showing contempt." By the early 19^th century, some commentators began raising objections when the words were used synonymously, suggesting that they should be distinguished, with contemptuous meaning only "showing contempt" and contemptible only "deserving contempt." In the following passage, for example, a would-be critic is ridiculed for using contemptible in the sense "showing contempt": “Young man! my opinion of you is very contemptible.” “All your opinions are contemptible,” rejoined Phillip, quietly. – Garry Avenel, Zou Mou, in The Iris, September, 1841 The distinction hinted at in this rebuke has been observed in English, by professional writers anyway, for close to 200 years. Synonyms abhorrent disdainful scornful See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences He owned a fine Kentucky rifle, with a cherry wood stock, and was contemptuous of the bulky carbines most of the troop had adopted. Larry McMurtry, Dead Man's Walk, 1995 In his 1978 Harvard commencement address, Mr. Solzhenitsyn seemed at times contemptuous of American democracy … Daniel Patrick Moynihan, New York Times Book Review, 24 Nov. 1991 He felt familiar enough to indulge in outbursts of rage or contemptuous sarcasm in her presence, and to display the most withering side of his character, lashing out at the people he despised. Cynthia Ozick, New Yorker, 20 Nov. 1989 loutish tourists who are contemptuous of the ways and traditions of their host countries contemptuous comments about the baseball team's pathetic showings Recent Examples on the Web Not posh, and neither impressed by nor contemptuous of those who were. Ian Mcewan, The New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2022 Undaunted, and contemptuous of her sister’s cowardice, Antigone proceeds and is arrested. Rachel Hadas, The Conversation, 8 July 2022 Even Charles Schultz was contemptuous, showing Sally’s confusion over joining sets, number sentences, and one-to-one matching. Jonathon Keats, Forbes, 30 June 2022 Grandiosity is the sense of being above other people, and contemptuous of the rules. Jancee Dunn, Vogue, 17 June 2022 Fiercely protective of his mother (Leslie Mann), who is bipolar, Andrew is openly contemptuous of his stern stepfather, Greg (Brad Garrett), a pharmaceuticals executive. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 16 June 2022 The South Carolina contests had their own dynamics — Mr. Rice was defiant and contemptuous of Mr. Trump to the end, while Ms. Mace tried hard to regain the good graces of Trump administration officials if not Mr. Trump himself. New York Times, 14 June 2022 What happened to the idea that art and culture should be a contemptuous refuge from the mainstream, as opposed to this lickspittle, running dog accommodation to the mainstream? Billboard Staff, Billboard, 3 June 2022 What has emerged publicly, however, shows how dangerous this nearly absolute authority can be in the hands of someone governed by self-interest, contemptuous of the rule of law, and emboldened by a divided and dysfunctional Congress. Jake Bernstein, The New York Review of Books, 23 Apr. 2020 See More Word History Etymology probably borrowed from Medieval Latin contemptuōsus, from Latin contemptu-, stem of contemptus contempt + -ōsus -ous First Known Use 1574, in the meaning defined above Kids Definition contemptuous adjective con·temp·tu·ous kən-ˈtemp-chə-wəs : scornful a contemptuous smile contemptuous adjective 1 as in disdainful feeling or showing open dislike for someone or something regarded as undeserving of respect or concern loutish tourists who are contemptuous of the ways and traditions of their host countries Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance disdainful scornful arrogant abhorrent malicious cruel cavalier hateful impudent fresh insolent disrespectful discourteous brazen supercilious haughty snobbish nasty pretentious saucy impertinent cheeky uppity cocky spiteful sassy brassy pompous superior prideful uppish brash high-handed malevolent highfalutin malignant lofty bold-faced self-important malign despiteful lordly mean catty hifalutin sniffish high-hat Antonyms & Near Antonyms appreciative deferential respectful admiring tolerant courteous polite applauding approving accepting regardful See More 2 as in slighting intended to make a person or thing seem of little importance or value contemptuous comments about the baseball team's pathetic showings Synonyms & Similar Words slighting insulting disdainful scornful disparaging malicious abusive deprecatory demeaning derogatory depreciative pejorative uncomplimentary detractive degrading belittling depreciatory derogative denigratory hateful critical derisory venomous decrying nasty libelous cruel denigrative spiteful scurrilous despiteful unkind slanderous calumnious opprobrious malevolent libellous defamatory virulent malignant jealous resentful slandering envious maligning vilifying malign caustic bitter catty denunciatory mean acrimonious aspersing scathing jaundiced rancorous acrid denunciative Antonyms & Near Antonyms laudatory commendatory friendly appreciative complimentary positive respectful sympathetic adulatory admiring laudative approving kind kindly applauding warmhearted warm kindhearted unmalicious See More
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contemptuous

adjective

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

adjective

adjective