What does contemptuous mean?
Contemptuous means Showing contempt; expressing disdain; showing a lack of respect..
Contemptuous
/kənˈtɛm(p).tʃu.əs/ · adjective
Meaning
Showing contempt; expressing disdain; showing a lack of respect..
Definitions by Sense
- Showing contempt; expressing disdain; showing a lack of respect.
- (rare) Worthy of contempt; contemptible.
Example Sentences
I don't know that guy, but he just gave me a contemptuous look.
Sir George burst into a loud fit of contemptuous laughter.
The most rapid and most seductive transition in all human nature is that which attends the palliation of a ravenous appetite.[…]Can those harmless but refined fellow-diners be the selfish cads whose gluttony and personal appearance so raised your contemptuous wrath on your arrival?
Rep. Noble told GCN that she, however, had deep concern "regarding the scandalous sexual exploitation and abuse of young children by adults." Noble has called on the community to "support the efforts of the Suffolk County District Attorney's office in unraveling this contemptuous situation.
Synonyms for contemptuous
Antonyms for contemptuous
Related Words
Word Forms
- more contemptuous
- most contemptuous
Usage Notes
Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.
Practice and Learn More
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a synonym for contemptuous?
Common synonyms include disdainful, dismissive, slighting, scornful.
What is the opposite of contemptuous?
Possible antonyms include respectful.
How do you use contemptuous in a sentence?
I don't know that guy, but he just gave me a contemptuous look.
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.