as in disdain
open dislike for someone or something considered unworthy of one's concern or respect
my undying contempt for people who abuse animals
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of contempt
Four days later, U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell in Washington found him in contempt again for continuing to defame the two women.
—
Luc Cohen, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025
The contempt for what was, to my mind, an essential part of the human condition was hard to swallow.
—Laila Lalami, The Atlantic, 15 Jan. 2025
Last fall, Judge Laura Taylor Swain found the city in contempt of a range of court orders and directed the parties to file proposals for an independent receiver.
—Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 27 Jan. 2025
Mueller’s predecessor, Pritzker appointee Marc Smith, was held in contempt of court a number of times for violating court orders by failing to find children appropriate placements in a timely manner, though all or most of those orders were later vacated.
—Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for contempt 
Luc Cohen, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025
The contempt for what was, to my mind, an essential part of the human condition was hard to swallow.
—Laila Lalami, The Atlantic, 15 Jan. 2025
Last fall, Judge Laura Taylor Swain found the city in contempt of a range of court orders and directed the parties to file proposals for an independent receiver.
—Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 27 Jan. 2025
Mueller’s predecessor, Pritzker appointee Marc Smith, was held in contempt of court a number of times for violating court orders by failing to find children appropriate placements in a timely manner, though all or most of those orders were later vacated.
—Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for contempt
Articles Related to contempt
Thesaurus Entries Near contempt
Cite this Entry
“Contempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contempt. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share