contempt
/kənˈtɛm(p)t
/noun [mass noun]
1The feeling that a person or a thing is worthless or beneath consideration: Pam stared at the girl with total contempt he wouldn’t answer a woman he held in such contempt...
- Most Britons greeted this fraud with the scorn and contempt it deserves.
- Just another scenario where caring for someone close to me gets me nothing by contempt, scorn and hate in return.
- Later, I decided that I deserved his contempt, and I hated myself for what I had written.
Synonyms
scorn, disdain, disrespect, deprecation, disparagement, denigration, opprobrium, odium, obloquy, scornfulness;
derision, mockery, ridicule;
disgust, loathing, detestation, abhorrence, hatred
archaic contumely
1.1Disregard for something that should be considered: this action displays an arrogant contempt for the wishes of the majority...
- It observes that the disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts that have outraged the conscience of mankind.
- Aquinas believed good law must be enforceable, otherwise it would be disregarded and risk causing contempt for all laws.
- Demands for respect while showing contempt for the religions and cultures of others has denied them any empathy for their perceived grievances.
Synonyms
disrespect, disregard, slighting, neglect;
Law contumacy
1.2 (also contempt of court) The offence of being disobedient to or disrespectful of a court of law and its officers: [count noun]: when he was found to have lied to the House this was a contempt...
- Failure to do so would leave the health professional in contempt of court, an offence punishable by imprisonment.
- The relevant sanction is either being held in contempt of court or being prosecuted under the criminal law.
- Earlier this year Dr Smith was found in contempt of court by the High Court.
Phrases
beneath contempt
hold someone in contempt
hold someone/thing in contempt
Origin
Late Middle English: from Latin contemptus, from contemnere (see contemn).