Word
contempt
Phoneticscon·tempt, stress on the second syllable
US/kənˈtɛmpt/
UK/kəntˈɛmpt/
Definitions
01scorn or disdain
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal
n. the feeling that someone or something is totally worthless and deserves no respect.
n. the feeling or attitude of regarding someone or something as inferior, base, or worthless. Uncountable in this abstract sense.
日本語:軽蔑※
“He showed total contempt for the rules and did whatever he wanted.”
“The CEO's blatant contempt for the safety concerns of his employees eventually led to a massive walkout and a public relations disaster.”
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'for'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02disobeying a court
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Law Technical · Formal
n. the crime of being disrespectful or disobedient to a judge or a court of law.
n. open disrespect or willful disobedience of the authority of a court of law or legislative body.
日本語:侮辱※
“The witness was found in contempt of court for refusing to answer the lawyer's questions.”
“The judge threatened to hold the journalist in contempt of court if she continued to withhold the identity of her confidential source during the trial.”
Usage
Commonly found in the phrase 'contempt of court'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “contempt” in context.
Verb
01. conceal his contempt
“He could barely conceal his contempt for the new management's short-sighted policies.”
verb + possessive + noun
02. hold the witness in contempt
“The judge threatened to hold the witness in contempt if he continued to interrupt the proceedings.”
verb + noun + prep + noun
03. treat the rules with contempt
“The elite athletes were criticized for treating the anti-doping rules with contempt.”
verb + noun + prep + noun
Adjective
04. thinly veiled contempt
“There was a sense of thinly veiled contempt in his voice during the debate.”
adv + adj
05. utter contempt
“She looked at the tabloid journalist with utter contempt after the intrusive question.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. contempt of court
“The journalist was charged with contempt of court for refusing to reveal her confidential sources.”
noun + of + noun
07. sneer of contempt
“A slight sneer of contempt crossed his face when he saw his rival's mediocre performance.”
noun + of + noun
Preposition
08. beneath contempt
“The way he treated his former employees was considered by many to be beneath contempt.”
prep + noun
Real-World Examples
“That suggests not just petulance and contempt for his own voters, but the insecurities of a jittery man.” “No further comment will be made on the matter.”
In the statement that appears to have expedited his departure, Lamour also said his colleagues “deserve better than contempt and intimidation”.” Etymology
From Latin contemptus (“scorn”), from contemnō (“I scorn, despise”), from com- + temnō (“I despise”). Displaced native Old English forsewennes.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/contempt
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0