Word
contemptuous
Phoneticscon·temp·tu·ous, stress on the second syllable
US/kənˈtɛmptʃuəs/
UK/kəntˈɛmptʃuːəs/
Definition
adj. showing that you think someone or something is worthless and you have no respect for them.
adj. expressing or feeling deep disrespect or scorn toward a person or thing considered inferior or worthless. Often describes tone, facial expression, or manner.
Examples
“She gives him a contemptuous look and walks away.”
“The manager makes a contemptuous remark about the interns' ideas without listening to their full proposal.”
“With a contemptuous wave of his hand, the critic dismisses years of careful research as mere fashion.”
Examples
simple
“She gives him a contemptuous look and walks away.”
contextual
“The manager makes a contemptuous remark about the interns' ideas without listening to their full proposal.”
complex
“With a contemptuous wave of his hand, the critic dismisses years of careful research as mere fashion.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “contemptuous” in context.
Verb
01. be contemptuous
“It is unfair to be contemptuous of people with fewer opportunities.”
verb + adj
02. become contemptuous
“After years in politics, she had become contemptuous of empty promises.”
verb + adj
03. contemptuous about
“They were contemptuous about celebrity culture and influencer fame.”
adj + prep
04. contemptuous of
“The manager was contemptuous of staff who arrived even slightly late.”
adj + prep
05. contemptuous towards
“He was openly contemptuous towards his rivals during the debate.”
adj + prep
Noun
06. contemptuous attitude
“Her contemptuous attitude towards waiters shocked everyone.”
adj + noun
07. contemptuous glance
“She shot him a contemptuous glance and refused to shake his hand.”
adj + noun
08. contemptuous remark
“He made a contemptuous remark about her accent that offended the class.”
adj + noun
09. contemptuous smile
“He gave a contemptuous smile when asked about his opponent's plan.”
adj + noun
10. contemptuous sneer
“A contemptuous sneer spread across his face as he listened.”
adj + noun
11. contemptuous tone
“Don't use that contemptuous tone with me, she snapped.”
adj + noun
12. cast a contemptuous glance at
“She cast a contemptuous glance at his cheap suit and looked away.”
Usage
Typically placed before the noun it modifies; also used predicatively after linking verbs like 'be' or 'seem'.
Real-World Examples
“Although previous presidents have sharply criticized Supreme Court rulings against them, Trump's lengthy tirade to reporters at the White House stood out for its contemptuous tone, as well as the personal nature of his scorn and praise.” “To refuse leave requested months earlier, knowing what competing meant to the claimant, and require her to attend a meeting, then not bother to turn up was contemptuous and wholly unreasonable.” “Chad expresses its deep concern following the remarks made recently by [the French president], which reflect a contemptuous attitude towards Africa and Africans," he said in a statement on national TV.” Etymology
From Latin contemptus (whence contempt) + -ous.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
- 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
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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