Word

contempt

noun C1

/kənˈtɛmpt/

Meanings

noun

A strong feeling that someone or something is unworthy of respect; deep disrespect.

noun

An openly disrespectful attitude or behavior that shows you think someone or something is worthless.

Definition

Contempt is a strong feeling that someone or something is unworthy of respect.

Contempt is an intense sense of disrespect and disapproval toward a person, idea, or action. It often involves looking down on someone as inferior or not worth consideration. People may show contempt through tone of voice, facial expressions, or dismissive behavior. It is generally a negative attitude that damages trust and relationships.

Examples

I heard contempt in my colleague’s voice when he dismissed the proposal without reading it.
You can disagree strongly without letting contempt shape your response to the other team.
He hid his contempt behind a polite smile, but his narrowed eyes gave him away.
She spoke with quiet contempt about the rumor, refusing to treat it as serious.
They tried to replace contempt with curiosity, asking questions instead of mocking the idea.

Common mistake

Learners often confuse contempt with jealousy or anger, but contempt specifically means deep disrespect and looking down on someone or something.