contemn v. + Add to list US //ˌkənˈtɛm// con·temn Archaic SynonymsEtymology Synonyms despisedisdainscornOriginLATcontemnō→OFRcontemner→MEcontempnen→ENcontemn From Middle English contempnen, from Old French contemner, from Latin contemnō (“to scorn”). See also contempt.