Contemptuous — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /kən-ˈtem(p)-chə-wəs/ con·temp·tu·ous

Meaning & Definition of Contemptuous

Contemptuous (adjective)

  1. manifesting, feeling, or expressing deep hatred or disapproval, feeling or showing contempt

Contemptuous (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. feeling or showing open dislike for someone or something regarded as undeserving of respect or concern

    "loutish tourists who are contemptuous of the ways and traditions of their host countries"

    similar: abhorrent, disdainful, scornful
    related: bold-faced, brash, brassy, brazen, cheeky, cocky, discourteous, disrespectful, fresh, impertinent, impudent, insolent, sassy, saucy, arrogant, cavalier, highfalutin, high-handed, high-hat, pretentious, uppish, uppity, haughty, lofty, lordly, prideful, sniffish, snobbish, supercilious, pompous, self-important, superior, catty, cruel, despiteful, hateful, malevolent, malicious, malign, malignant, mean, nasty, spiteful
    opposite: admiring, applauding, appreciative, approving
    near: deferential, regardful, respectful, accepting, tolerant, courteous, polite

  2. intended to make a person or thing seem of little importance or value

    "contemptuous comments about the baseball team's pathetic showings"

    similar: belittling, decrying, degrading, demeaning, denigrative, denigratory, deprecatory, depreciative, depreciatory, derisory, derogative, derogatory, detractive, disdainful, disparaging, pejorative, scornful, slighting, uncomplimentary
    related: aspersing, calumnious, defamatory, insulting, libelous, maligning, slandering, slanderous, vilifying, abusive, opprobrious, scurrilous, catty, cruel, despiteful, hateful, malevolent, malicious, malign, malignant, mean, nasty, spiteful, unkind, virulent, critical, denunciative, denunciatory, acrimonious, bitter, envious, jaundiced, jealous, rancorous, resentful, acrid, caustic, scathing, venomous
    opposite: commendatory, complimentary, laudative, laudatory
    near: admiring, adulatory, applauding, approving, friendly, positive, appreciative, respectful, kind, kindhearted, kindly, sympathetic, unmalicious, warm, warmhearted

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Contemptuous

The most common words with a similar meaning to Contemptuous:

abhorrent, disdainful, scornful, belittling, decrying, degrading, demeaning, denigrative, denigratory, deprecatory, depreciative, depreciatory, derisory, derogative, derogatory, detractive, disparaging, pejorative, slighting, uncomplimentary

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Contemptuous

Words with the opposite meaning of Contemptuous:

admiring, applauding, appreciative, approving, commendatory, complimentary, laudative, laudatory

Related Words for Contemptuous

bold-faced, brash, brassy, brazen, cheeky, cocky, discourteous, disrespectful, fresh, impertinent, impudent, insolent, sassy, saucy, arrogant, cavalier, highfalutin, high-handed, high-hat, pretentious, uppish, uppity, haughty, lofty, lordly, prideful, sniffish, snobbish, supercilious, pompous

Near Antonyms of Contemptuous

deferential, regardful, respectful, accepting, tolerant, courteous, polite, adulatory, friendly, positive, kind, kindhearted, kindly, sympathetic, unmalicious, warm, warmhearted

Word Forms of Contemptuous

Derived words: contemptuously (adverb), contemptuousness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Contemptuous

probably borrowed from Medieval Latin contemptuōsus, from Latin contemptu-, stem of contemptus contempt + -ōsus -ous

First known use: 1574

Frequently Asked Questions about Contemptuous

What does "Contemptuous" mean?

"Contemptuous" means manifesting, feeling, or expressing deep hatred or disapproval, feeling or showing contempt. As an adjective, it is defined as: manifesting, feeling, or expressing deep hatred or disapproval, feeling or showing contempt. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Contemptuous"?

Other words for "Contemptuous" include abhorrent, disdainful, scornful, belittling, decrying, degrading, demeaning and denigrative. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Contemptuous" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Contemptuous"?

There are 91 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Contemptuous". Common alternatives include abhorrent, disdainful, scornful, belittling, decrying, degrading, demeaning, denigrative, denigratory and deprecatory.

What is the opposite of "Contemptuous"?

Antonyms of "Contemptuous" include admiring, applauding, appreciative, approving, commendatory, complimentary, laudative and laudatory. Near antonyms include deferential, regardful, respectful and accepting.

How do you use "Contemptuous" in a sentence?

Examples of "Contemptuous" in a sentence: "loutish tourists who are contemptuous of the ways and traditions of their host countries"; "contemptuous comments about the baseball team's pathetic showings".

Is "Contemptuous" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Contemptuous" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Contemptuous"?

"Contemptuous" is pronounced /kən-ˈtem(p)-chə-wəs/ and divided into syllables as con·temp·tu·ous.

What is the origin of the word "Contemptuous"?

"Contemptuous" comes from probably borrowed from Medieval Latin contemptuōsus, from Latin contemptu-, stem of contemptus contempt + -ōsus -ous. First known use: 1574.