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Glite Dictionary
😒 A strong dislike 😒 To reject with scorn
to disdain

to disdain

15 6.4
To treat a person or thing as not worthy of respect
  • verb
  • /dɪsˈdeɪn/
translation icon : desdeñar
  • First, I will demonstrate that allegations that the Americo-Liberians disdained African food are flawed.
  • often disdained
  • disdained African food

I totally disdain the other way of thinking that it's just a fluke.

Examples

  • The critic disdains the movie for its lack of originality and depth.

  • His children, nurses, and ward attendants applauded, unaware, while he disdained their ignorance.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • To disdain that kind of success or put it in its place.

  • I do not disdain them.

    His Only Son (2023)

  • I totally disdain the other way of thinking that it's just a fluke.

    Rich Roll

  • Some of them even disdain the lead counsel and acted according to their own wishes.

  • I don't, I don't disdain modern technology when it's available.

  • One moment, you're sentimental about a previous relationship, the next moment, you disdain it.

    Illegally Yours (1988)

  • A few self-important nominees will disdain help from more knowledgeable career officers.

    Academic text (1992)

  • Squat, polka dots painted on its shutters, a mole-ridden lawn, it seemed to disdain propriety or household economy.

    Fiction book (1998)

Synonyms

to turn down
vsto disdain
312 2.9

Refuse an offer, invitation, or request

adds contempt and belief of unworthiness to the refusal
to despise
vsto disdain
192 4.9

To strongly dislike and have no respect for someone or something

is more about treating and rejecting rather than just feeling dislike
to disrespect
vsto disdain
115 3.5

To show a lack of respect for someone

involves active rejection and belief someone is unworthy rather than simple rudeness
to dismiss as
vsto disdain
59 4.6

To say someone or something is not worth taking seriously without careful thought

is about contempt and rejecting worth rather than just labeling
to scorn
vsto disdain
51 5.5

To show dislike and no respect for someone or something

is identical in meaning and use
to disparage
vsto disdain
28 7.7

To speak badly about someone or something to show little respect

is a general attitude and rejection rather than only verbal criticism
to spurn
vsto disdain
26 7.7

To refuse a person or an offer in a rude way

is more about the general attitude rather than only the refusal
to deride
vsto disdain
26 7.8

To make fun of someone in a cruel way

is the feeling or rejection itself rather than overt mocking
to hold in contempt
vsto disdain
23 7.8

To feel strong dislike and no respect for someone or something

is identical in meaning and use
to frown upon
vsto disdain
23 4.2

To think something is not acceptable

is harsher, treating as unworthy rather than merely unacceptable
to pooh-pooh
vsto disdain
5 9.5

To treat an idea or opinion as unimportant and not worth taking seriously

is stronger and more about worth and active rejection than casual dismissal
to disfavor
vsto disdain
  • US
1 5.7

To dislike and not support people or things

is stronger, involving contempt and seeing someone as unworthy
to contemn
vsto disdain
  • Literature
1 9.9

To treat someone as unimportant and show strong dislike for them

is identical in meaning and use
to freeze off
vsto disdain
  • Informal
1 8.5

Treat someone in a cold way and ignore them to show dislike

is the basic attitude, not only the cold ignoring behavior
to disesteem
vsto disdain
9.9

Show little respect for someone or something

is stronger, involving active rejection and contempt

Antonyms

to value
285 1.9

To think a person or thing is important

How Respectful

to revere
21 6.7
to admire
743 1.6
to reject
839 1.9
to disdain
15 6.4
to despise
192 4.9

Surface Forms

disdain infinitive
disdained past
disdained past participle
disdaining present participle
disdains third person singular

Morphology

disdain = deign (semi-transparent) = dis + dain

The negative prefix 'dis-' makes the general idea clear, but the base 'deign' is archaic/rare so many learners cannot derive the sense directly.

Etymology

Disdain comes from the parts dis- 'not' and dignus 'worthy', the same root as dignity. So to disdain someone (verb) is to treat them as 'not worthy' and to reject them with disrespect.