Contemptuous
/kənˈtɛmptʃuəs/
adjectiveC1
Definition
Contemptuous means showing that you think someone or something is not important, bad, or worthless. It is a strong feeling of disrespect or dislike, often shown in the way a person talks, looks, or acts toward others.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
Showing strong disrespect or dislike toward a person or thing
- •She gave a contemptuous look to the rude man.
- •His contemptuous words hurt her feelings deeply.
- •The teacher was contemptuous of students who did not try hard.
Feeling or acting as if something is worthless or not important
- •He was contemptuous of the rules and often broke them.
- •The boss was contemptuous of the new employee’s ideas.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "contemptuous" like "mean," but much stronger and more serious—it is not just unkind, it shows deep disrespect
- ✓Picture someone looking down their nose at another person, with a cold or angry face that says "I don't respect you"
- ✓It's the feeling when someone ignores or treats another person as if they are not good enough
- ✓Sounds like "con-TEMP-chu-us" → imagine someone putting something or someone in a tiny "temporary" box because they think it is unimportant
- ✓Think of a character in a movie who sneers or laughs at others because they feel better than them
- ✓NOT like "angry" (which is about strong emotion), "contemptuous" is about disrespect and looking down on someone
- ✓NOT like "rude" (which can be accidental or small), contemptuous is a strong and clear attitude of dislike
- ✓NOT like "disgusted" (which is about strong dislike for something dirty or bad), contemptuous is about feeling someone is beneath you
Try Other Words
- •Scornful: showing strong dislike and disrespect (Use when you want to emphasize strong negative feelings)
- •Disdainful: showing you think someone is not good enough (Use when focusing on feeling someone is beneath you)
- •Derisive: mocking or laughing at someone in a disrespectful way (Use when contempt is shown with laughter or sarcasm)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: prefix "con-" (with, together) + root "tempt" (from Latin "contemptus" meaning scorn or disdain) + suffix "-uous" (forms adjectives)
- •Etymology: From Latin "contemptuosus," meaning full of contempt (disrespect or scorn)
- •Historical development: Used in English since the 1500s to describe feelings or expressions of strong dislike or disrespect
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to describe attitudes, looks, or speech that clearly show disrespect or dislike
Reflect & Connect
•How does a contemptuous attitude affect relationships between people?
•Can you think of a time when you saw someone being contemptuous? How did it make you feel?
Fill in the blanks
1.She gave a contemptuous look because she ___ the idea as silly and not worth attention.
2.When he spoke in a contemptuous tone, it made others feel ___ and unimportant.
3.Unlike simple anger, contemptuous behavior shows a ___ feeling of disrespect.
4.The boss was contemptuous of the suggestion, so he ___ it without serious thought.
5.People often use contemptuous expressions to show they ___ respect or care.
6.A contemptuous person usually ___ others’ feelings and opinions.
7.When someone acts contemptuous, you can often ___ it in their voice or face.