Scorn vs condemn
/skɔrn/ vs /kənˈdɛm/
verbverbB2
Definition
Scorn is when you show dislike or disrespect by acting like someone or something is not good enough or worthless. It often comes with feelings of pride or looking down on others. Condemn means to say loudly or clearly that something is bad, wrong, or should be stopped. It often involves judging and deciding that something is unacceptable or deserves punishment.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
Scorn: To show disrespect or strong dislike
- •She scorned his idea because she thought it was silly.
- •They looked at the old building with scorn, thinking it was ugly.
- •He scorned the rules and did what he wanted.
Condemn: To say strongly that something is wrong or bad
- •The government condemned the violent actions of the protesters.
- •The teacher condemned cheating in the exam.
- •Many people condemn pollution because it harms the earth.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "scorn" like "dislike" but stronger and with a feeling of looking down on someone, like saying "You are not worth my respect."
- ✓Picture someone rolling their eyes or laughing at another person because they think that person is silly or bad.
- ✓It's the feeling when you think someone did something very wrong and you feel angry and proud that you are better than them.
- ✓Sounds like "scorn" → imagine a sharp thorn that pricks your pride and makes you feel angry or better than someone.
- ✓Think of a judge who condemns a criminal, saying "This is wrong and must stop," showing strong judgment and punishment.
- ✓Condemn is like a serious teacher saying "This behavior is not allowed," not just dislike but official or strong judgment.
- ✓NOT like "scorn" (which is more about disrespect and feeling better), "condemn" is about judging and declaring something wrong or bad.
- ✓NOT like "criticize" (which can be polite or helpful), "condemn" is very strong and often final judgment.
- ✓Scorn is more about feeling and attitude, condemn is more about decision and statement.
Try Other Words
- •Reject: to refuse to accept or believe (Use when you want to say someone does not accept an idea or person, but without strong judgment)
- •Criticize: to say what is wrong or bad (Use when giving opinions that point out faults, often less strong than condemn)
- •Disdain: to look down on with dislike (Use when you want to show a feeling very close to scorn, but more about pride and dislike)
- •Denounce: to publicly say something is bad or wrong (Use when someone condemns publicly, often in formal or official way)
Unboxing
- •"Scorn": Old English origin, related to showing contempt or mockery; the word itself means strong dislike mixed with disrespect.
- •"Condemn": From Latin "condemnare," meaning to sentence or judge guilty; originally used in law and religion for strong judgment.
- •Scorn developed as an emotional feeling of disrespect; condemn developed as a formal or strong statement of judgment.
- •Today, scorn is used for personal feelings or attitudes; condemn is used for formal or public judgments about actions or ideas.
Reflect & Connect
•How do you feel differently when you scorn someone compared to when you condemn their actions?
•Can you think of a situation where it is better to condemn an action rather than scorn a person?
Fill in the blanks
1.When someone ___ an idea, they show strong dislike and think it is worthless or silly.
2.The teacher ___ cheating because it breaks the rules and is unfair.
3.You might ___ a person if you think they are not good enough, but you ___ an action when you say it is wrong.
4.People often ___ bad behavior publicly to warn others not to do it.
5.Scorn usually comes with feelings of pride or ___ while condemning is more about judgment and ___.
6.If you only ___ a mistake, you point it out; if you ___ it, you say it is very bad and must stop.
7.When the community ___ pollution, they want to change the law or stop harmful actions.