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Glite Dictionary
to contemn

to contemn

1 9.9
To treat someone as unimportant and show strong dislike for them
  • verb
  • /kənˈtɛm/
  • Literature
translation icon : despreciar
  • A good number of writers specifically urged their readers not to despise, contemn, or use unmannerly speech or behavior towards the aged.

Examples

  • He had admired another poet for his gift, Roy Campbell, and contemned him for his politics.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • "write loyal cantons of contemned love "and sing them loud even in the dead of night

    Being Julia (2004)

  • How to contemn 47 percent of Americans who are less privileged and beautiful than his family?

    Blog text (20)

  • If a man would give all the substance of his house for love... ...it would utterly be contemned.

    Our Mother's House (1967)

  • In this matter let prudence help you, and contemn with a resolute spirit even when it is in plain sight.

  • "With it goes the old values, replaced by the land values Conrad contemned continually: greed, sloth, hypocrisy.

    Academic text (2000)

  • To confess my weakness, Ned, my ambition is prevalent; I contemn the groveling and condition of a clerk or the like, to which my fortune condemns me, and I would willingly risk my life, though not my character, to exalt my station.

    Academic text (1993)

  • She chose to contemn those who showed disrespect to her work, believing they were unworthy of her time.

  • The critic began to contemn the artist's latest exhibition, arguing that it lacked originality and depth.

  • Many people find it easy to contemn those who do not share their values or beliefs.

Synonyms

to despise
vsto contemn
192 4.9

To strongly dislike and have no respect for someone or something

is more about looking down than intense hatred or disgust
to look down on
vsto contemn
  • Offensive
53 3.7

Think you are better than someone and treat them as less important

is more about general treating as unworthy rather than personal superiority
to scorn
vsto contemn
51 5.5

To show dislike and no respect for someone or something

focuses more on looking down and less on open rejection
to spurn
vsto contemn
26 7.7

To refuse a person or an offer in a rude way

adds the act of rejection, not just holding a low opinion
to abhor
vsto contemn
26 7.8

To hate something very much

focuses more on treating someone as unworthy rather than visceral hatred
to hold in contempt
vsto contemn
23 7.8

To feel strong dislike and no respect for someone or something

is more about looking down or treating someone as inferior
to frown upon
vsto contemn
23 4.2

To think something is not acceptable

is harsher, treating someone as unworthy rather than simple disapproval
to disdain
vsto contemn
15 6.4

To treat a person or thing as not worthy of respect

is about looking down rather than only rejecting
to disfavor
vsto contemn
  • US
1 5.7

To dislike and not support people or things

is stronger and involves looking down rather than mere disapproval
to disesteem
vsto contemn
9.9

Show little respect for someone or something

involves actively treating someone as inferior rather than mere low regard

Antonyms

to respect
∞ 1.0

To admire someone for their actions or qualities

to admire
743 1.6

To feel respect and pleasure when you look at someone or something

How Contemptuous

to abhor
26 7.8
to despise
192 4.9
to contemn
  • Literature
1 9.9
to look down on
  • Offensive
53 3.7
dislike
  • Texting
49 1.0

Surface Forms

contemn infinitive
contemning present participle
contemns third person singular
contemned past
contemned past participle

Etymology

Contemn comes from Latin parts con- ('with') and temnere ('to scorn' or 'to despise'), the same root as the common word contempt. So to contemn someone is to 'look down on' them or treat them with disdain.